lest
pronunciation
How to pronounce lest in British English:
UK [lest]
How to pronounce lest in American English:
US [lest]
-
- Adverb:
- for fear that
- that (after verbs explicitly expressing fear etc.)
Word Origin
- lest (conj.)
- c. 1200, contracted from Middle English phrase les te "less that," from Old English phrase þy læs þe "whereby less that," from þy, instrumental case of demonstrative article þæt "that" + læs (see less) + þe "the." The þy was dropped and the remaining two words contracted into leste.
Example
- 1. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you .
- 2. Chinese authorities typically minimize events that suggest government incompetence lest they encourage social unrest .
- 3. Communities developed incentives to maintain their rung on the caste ladder , lest those below pass them .
- 4. A positive thinker can never relax , lest an awareness of sadness or failure creep in .
- 5. Fearful lest idle young people turn rebellious , saudi leaders want to put them to work .