▪ I. lest, conj.
(lɛst)
Forms: 1 þ{yacu} lǽs þe, þe lǽs þe, þe lǽste, 2 þi les ðe, 3–5 last(e, leste, les, 5 lesse, 4–8 leest, 4–5 lyst(e, 6–8 Sc. leist, 6–9 least(e, 4– lest.
[OE. phrase þ{yacu} lǽs þe, lit. ‘whereby less’ = L. quōminus (þ{yacu} instrumental of the dem. and rel. pron. + lǽs less a. + þe relative particle). In ME. the first word of the phrase was dropped, and les þe became les te in accordance with the general rule that þ after s changed into t.]
1. Used as a negative particle of intention or purpose, introducing a clause expressive of something to be prevented or guarded against; = L. nē, Eng. that..not, for fear that.
| c 1000 Ags. Gosp. John v. 14 Ne synga þu þe-læs þe þe on sumon þingon wyrs ᵹetide. a 1100 in Napier O.E. Glosses i. 3675 Ne..offenderit, þe læste ᵹehremde. c 1175 Lamb. Hom. 117 Vnderfoð steore þi les ðe god iwurðe wrað wið eou. a 1240 Lofsong in Cott. Hom. 209 Ne bi-hold þu ham [mine sunnen] nout leste þu wreoke ham on me. c 1330 Spec. Gy Warw. 856 Go, man, while þat þu hast liht, Lest þe of-take þe derke niht. c 1385 Chaucer L.G.W. 723 Thisbe, I-kept..fful streyte lyst they dedyn sum folye. 1393 Langl. P. Pl. C. xxi. 337 Ich sotelide how ich myghte Lette hem þat louede hym nat lest þei wolde hym martrye. a 1400–50 Alexander 732 (Ashm.) Haue a gud eȝe, Les [Dublin MS. lest] on þine ane here-efterward þine ossyngis liȝt. Ibid. 1372 (Dubl.) And band hir..Lest sho flechett or faylett with fyfe score ankers. 1526 Tindale Mark xiii. 5 Take hede lest eny man deceave you. 1567 Gude & Godlie B. (S.T.S.) 41 That he my fyve brether aduerteis may, Leist thay in to this cairfull place discend. 1599 H. Buttes Dyets drie Dinner A iv b, The which least I should seeme only idlely to wish, I have [etc.]. 1677 Moxon Mech. Exerc. 41 Forge your work as true as you can, least it cost you great pains at the Vice. 1741 Richardson Pamela (1824) I. 175 But, least you should be alarmed, if I don't come home by ten, don't expect me. 1795 Burns ‘Last May a braw wooer’ vi, But owre my left shouther I gae him a blink Leest neebours might say I was saucy. 1797 Jefferson Writ. (1859) IV. 174 Nobody scarcely will venture to buy or draw bills, lest they should be paid there in depreciated currency. 1815 W. Taylor in Robberds Mem. II. 454, I did not like to write to you without the book at my elbow, least I should misremember. 1855 Cornwall 262 Look to the Purser well, lest he look to himself too well. 1897 R. Kipling Recessional, Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet, Lest we forget, lest we forget. |
† b. lest that: in the same sense. Obs.
| c 1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 43 Nouȝt to hot a medycine, leste þat he make þe lyme toswellyn. 1426 Lydg. De Guil. Pilgr. 8204 Lyst that she were wroth with me, I suffrede. c 1491 Chast. Goddes Chyld. 9 Leest that ye lese him in your owne defawte. 1559 W. Cuningham Cosmogr. Glasse 115 Least that the difficultie of the thing mighte somwhat discouragie you, I will [etc.]. |
† c. lest when = L. nequando: lest at any time.
| a 1300 E.E. Psalter ii. 12 Gripes lare, leswhen [Vulg. nequando] lauerd wrethide be. a 1340 Hampole Psalter cxxxix. 9 Forsake me noght leswhen [L. ne forte] þai be heghid. |
2. Used after verbs of fearing, or phrases indicating apprehension or danger, to introduce a clause expressing the event that is feared; equivalent to the L. nē, and in Eng. often admitting of being replaced by that (without accompanying negative).
| c 1000 ælfric Gen. xxxii. 11 For þam þe ic hine [Esau] swiðe ondræde, þe læs þe he cume and ofslea þas modra mid hiora cildum. 1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 10415 Þe king was nei for drede wod..Laste þe king of fraunce & mansing him ssolde ssende. c 1350 Will. Palerne 953 He was a-drad to þe deþ last sche him dere wold. ? a 1400 Arthur 289 We dowteþ last he wel do soo, For he ys Myghty know þer-too. a 1533 Ld. Berners Huon lxii. 214 My hert trymbleth for fere leest he be deed. 1560 J. Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 270 There is daunger, lest or euer they be ready, the enemy wyl haue inuaded his countrey. 1596 Dalrymple tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. i. 95 A reuerend feir..leist thay offend in things of honestie. 1657 Austen Fruit Trees i. 42 All the danger is least we take too much liberty herein. 1750 H. Walpole Lett. (1846) II. 316 Lady Catherine grew frightened, lest her infanta should vex herself sick. 1823 F. Clissold Ascent Mt. Blanc 20, I felt a strong inclination to sleep, and feared lest I should drop down. 1881 Punch 29 Oct. 198 Fearing lest they should succumb. |
▪ II. lest
obs. form of last, least, list n. and v.
▪ III. lest(e
wk. pa. tense and pple. of leese v.1