conj. 1. For fear that: tiptoed lest the guard should hear her; anxious lest he become ill. 2. So that someone or something not; in case someone or something might: "Lest anyone forget, adolescence is purgatory" (Jon Pareles). [Middle English, from Old English (thȳ) lǣs the, (whereby) less that, so that not : lǣs, less; see LESS + the, relative conjunction; see to- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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