lest

[ lest ]

conjunction

1. for fear that; so that (one) should not (used negatively to introduce a clause expressive of an action or occurrence requiring caution):

   He kept his notes by his side lest faulty memory lead him astray.

2. that (used after words expressing fear, danger, etc.):

   There was danger lest the plan become known.

lest

/ lɛst /

conjunction

1. so as to prevent any possibility that

   he fled the country lest he be captured and imprisoned

2. after verbs or phrases expressing fear, worry, anxiety, etc for fear that; in case

   he was alarmed lest she should find out

Word History and Origins

Origin of lest¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English leste, contraction of the lesse the, thi les the; late Old English the lǣste, earlier thȳ lǣs the, literally, “whereby less that” ( thȳ instrumental case of the demonstrative and relative pronoun, lǣs less, the conjunction)

Word History and Origins

Origin of lest¹

Old English the lǣste, earlier thӯ lǣs the, literally: whereby less that

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. lest we forget. lest we forget.

Example Sentences

And lest you be deceived, primary elections are no partisan monopoly.

From The Daily Beast

The cops suspended the high-speed pursuit lest some innocent be killed.

From The Daily Beast

He said it would be wise to stop taking it, lest it turn on my “genetic light switch.”

From The Daily Beast

Lest anyone be confused, the site clearly states:  “This is not a dating app.”

From The Daily Beast

Lest anyone be confused, the site clearly states: ‘This is not a dating app.’

From The Daily Beast

There is always in the background of my mind dread lest help should reach the enemy before we have done with Sedd-el-Bahr.

From Project Gutenberg

Terror and fascination caught him; he turned away lest she should reach his secret and communicate her own.

From Project Gutenberg

He saw them standing at street corners, watchfully staring lest they should miss the form of joy.

From Project Gutenberg

This new-found joy I long pursued in secret, afraid lest it should be discovered and despised as a folly.

From Project Gutenberg

Underneath these were affectionate hearts quaking with fear lest the home-coming be but a sad one after all.

From Project Gutenberg