lest

lest

conjunction \ˈlest\

Definition of LEST

: for fear that —often used after an expression denoting fear or apprehension <worried lest she should be late> <hesitant to speak out lest he be fired>

Origin of LEST

Middle English les the, leste, from Old English thȳ lǣs the, from thȳ (instrumental of thæt that) + lǣs + the, relative particle

First Known Use: before 12th century

Rhymes with LEST

best, breast, Brest, chest, crest, gest, geste, guest, hest, jessed, jest, nest, pest, quest, rest, test, tressed, vest, west, wrest, zest