conj.
formal - with the intention of preventing.
- because of the possibility of.
Usage
Lest remains one of the very few contexts in English where the subjunctive mood is, strictly speaking, required. Thus the standard use is she was worrying lest he be attacked (not lest he was attacked). See also subjunctive.
Etymology
OE thȳ læs the ‘whereby less that’, later the læste.
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