Definitions
Conjunction meaning for fear that something might happen.
Word origin
c. 1200, contracted from Middle English les te (“less that”), from Old English þȳ lǣs þe (“whereby less that”), from þȳ (instrumental case of demonstrative article þæt (“that”)) + lǣs (“less”) + þe (“that,” relative particle). The þȳ was dropped and the remaining two words contracted into leste.
Used in a sentence
“He won't go outside, lest he be eaten by those ravenous eagles.”
“I brought my notes lest faulty memory lead me astray.”
“I thought to haue told thee of it, but I fear'd / Leaſt I might anger thee.”
Source: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0
Used as a crossword answer1 curated clues
01“For fear that”4 letters
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