Definition of lest
: for fear that —often used after an expression denoting fear or apprehension worried lest she should be late hesitant to speak out lest he be fired
From the M-W Editors
Origin and Etymology of lest
Middle English les the, leste, from Old English thȳ lǣs the, from thȳ (instrumental of thæt that) + lǣs + the, relative particle
LEST Defined for English Language Learners
lest
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: for fear that
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—used when you are saying something in order to prevent something from happening
LEST Defined for Kids
lest
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: for fear that “I have to be sharp and clever, lest I go hungry.” — E. B. White, Charlotte's Web
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See words that rhyme with lest Spanish Central: Translation of lest Nglish: Translation of lest for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of lest for Arabic speakers
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