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Definition of lest conjunction from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

lest

conjunction
 
/lest/
 
/lest/
(formal or literary)
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  1. in order to prevent something from happening
    • He gripped his brother's arm lest he be trampled by the mob.
    • Lest anyone should doubt my story, I have brought documents to attest to its truth.
    Lest usually takes a verb in the subjunctive Lest anyone doubt my story… • Lest anyone doubts my story… • Lest anyone doubted my story… It is also acceptable to use should Lest anyone should doubt my story…
  2. used to introduce the reason for the particular emotion mentioned
    • She was afraid lest she had revealed too much.
    3. Word OriginOld English thȳ lǣs the ‘whereby less that’, later the læste.
See lest in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
Check pronunciation: lest

Nearby words

elaborate
adjective
 
 
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