conjunction (subordinating; takes should or a subjunctive verb) 1. so as to prevent any possibility that. (after verbs or phrases expressing fear, worry, anxiety, etc) for fear that; in case. An example of lest is when you bring an umbrella in order to avoid getting wet. Create an account and sign in to access this FREE content. lest If you do something lest something unpleasant should happen, you do it to try to prevent the unpleasant thing from happening. So, how well do you know the actual opening lines from some of literature's greatest novels? For example: Lest they be captured, the soldiers fled from the battlefield. Last 300 years, she was alarmed lest she should be found out, for fear that; in case; so that . she was alarmed lest she … Learner's definition of LEST. 44. 2. The conjunction lest means (1) for fear that, or (2) in order to avoid. But, somehow, Jefferson Creede took the lead and rode with his eyes cast down, lest they should be dazzled by the vision. (lɛst ) conjunction (subordinating; takes should or a subjunctive verb) 1. so as to prevent any possibility that. What Is The Difference Between “It’s” And “Its”? ): There was danger lest the plan become known. 2. lest. lest As it derives from the word "molester," the term lest is used to describe someone of questionable or sketchy character, or anything slightly odd or interesting. formal + literary. For example: Lest they be captured, the soldiers fled from the battlefield. Thus the standard use is she was worrying lest he be attacked (not lest he was …) or she is using headphones lest she disturb anyone (not … lest she disturbs anyone). Copyright © 2010 by Shouldst definition, 2nd person singular past tense of shall. used only after a word or words expressing fear, By the time they are offered work they fear taking it lest it dries up and they have And best of all it's ad free, so sign up now and start using at home or in the classroom. The Dictionary.com Word Of The Year For 2020 Is …. IV, Number 100, September 27, 1851. she was alarmed lest she should be found out. We Asked, You Answered. "He didn't dare leave the hotel lest he should be recognized. Use "lest" in a sentence Put on your coat lest you should catch the cold. Lest is already negative, so it shouldn’t be used with not. Lest. ( lɛst) conj ( subordinating; takes should or a subjunctive verb) 1. so as to prevent any possibility that: he fled the country lest he be captured and imprisoned. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins International Volunteer Day (sometimes abbreviated to IVD) takes place annually on December 5th. The word 'lest' is somewhat outdated for contemporary writing unless you are composing fiction that takes place in the 1700s. The president has gone along with the hardliners lest they be tempted to oust him. (after verbs or phrases expressing fear, worry, anxiety, etc) for fear that; in case. Here are a few words and phrases you might hear in Nottingham and the surrounding areas! For fear that; that not; in order that not; in case. View usage for: Lest definition, for fear that; so that (one) should not (used negatively to introduce a clause expressive of an action or occurrence requiring caution): He kept his … The future subjunctive would simply employ the auxiliary word should. Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012. for fear that; so that (one) should not (used negatively to introduce a clause expressive of an action or occurrence requiring caution): He kept his notes by his side lest faulty memory lead him astray. “If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you'll probably want to know is where I was born, and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don't feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth.”, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, Dictionary.com Unabridged I have fresh hopes given me; but I dare not please myself too much with them, lest I should be again disappointed. the whole body, or at least the most important part (valentior) of the citizens; the people should themselves elect, or at least appoint, the head of the government, who, lest he should be tempted to put himself above the scope of the laws, should have at his disposal only a limited armed force. he fled the country lest he be captured and imprisoned, (after verbs or phrases expressing fear, worry, anxiety, etc), Birth Control Made My Hair Fall Out, and I’m Not the Only One, Swipe Right For Sex: Mixxxer Is Tinder for the Porn Star Set, Miranda Kerr & Karlie Kloss Suffer From Model Denial, A Vindication of the Presbyteriall-Government and Ministry, Notes and Queries, Vol. And lest you be deceived, primary elections are no partisan monopoly. For example: Lest they be captured, the soldiers fled from the battlefield. "He doesn't dare leave the hotel lest he should be recognized." The word lest is always followed by the , usually in either the present or future tense. Last 50 years It's literal translation is "should not be forgotten". In your sentence "lest" must be followed by "should… (11) Lest Satan should get an advantage of us. Lest is generally followed by a verb clause in the subjunctive mood.The word should is just a way to put a clause into the future subjunctive. The future subjunctive would simply employ the auxiliary word should . We have almost 200 lists of words from topics as varied as types of butterflies, jackets, currencies, vegetables and knots! Our new online dictionaries for schools provide a safe and appropriate environment for children. It would be awkward and unnecessary to say lest she should fall. Another word for lest. i hurried to the airport lest i should be late for the plane. . Last 100 years All rights reserved. A jumper is a warm knitted piece of clothing which covers the upper part of your body and your arms . lest in British English. Lest is a highly adaptable term used to describe anything off-kilter, funny, or random. 1 : for fear that — used to say that you do not want something to happen. All Years Come in here. It is followed by something the speaker thinks should be avoided. The phrase "lest we forget" is intended to warn people against forgetting those who fought and died for their country. Find more ways to say lest, along with related words, antonyms and example phrases at Thesaurus.com, the world's most trusted free thesaurus. that (used after words expressing fear, danger, etc. The British colonial government had built it as a watch-station, lest anyone should try to break the government monopoly by mining his own salt. Describe 2020 In Just One Word? The phraseology is that of one who is, as it were, playing a game against the Tempter, in which the souls of men are at once the counters and the stake. He ran away lest he should be seen. And, lest we forget, Einstein wrote his most influential papers while working as He was concerned lest anyone think that he was guilty. Because lest introduces a clause, it should be followed by the subject of the clause that expresses whatever is to be avoided. lest - for fear that; "she tiptoed lest her mother should hear her" 2. lest - that ( after verbs explicitly expressing fear etc . to 1715, Fear and terrible feelings - fear lest I was, The latest Japanese vacuum cleaners contain a. needs to be approached in a realistic manner. 1610–1611, William Shakespeare, “The Tempest”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Original… Last 10 years . The warm wet weather is working wonders on the, Mobile signals enabled police to place them at the. Enrich your vocabulary with the English Definition dictionary I was afraid to open the door lest he should follow me. to. a clerk. You want to know about this.” Right? Speak quietly lest she should hear us. The opening line of any book should say, in the words of Stephen King, “Listen. The future subjunctive would simply employ the auxiliary word should. Download our English Dictionary apps - available for both iOS and Android. i make it a rule to read the newspaper every day lest i should fall behind the times. "Lest" means "for fear that" and is followed by should + infinitive. 1.1. 2. Paul was afraid that he would begin again, and he dared not touch him lest he should cry out. Leric is a pretty big lest. The word lest is always followed by the, usually in either the present or future tense. So intriguing! not. It is often inscribed on war memorials and graves. Lest anyone should doubt my story, I have brought documents to attest to its truth. The People’s Choice 2020 Word Of The Year: 2020 Was A $#@#%%$@! It is true that authorities feared he was a potential leader of a millennial revolt and they treated him leniently lest he become a martyr. For example, we might write, “We’re going to proofread this twice lest we make errors that hurt our credibility.”. Which, lest anyone forgets, you have paid for. Usage There are very few contexts in English where the subjunctive mood is, strictly speaking, required: lest remains one of them. = (chiefly Brit) He was concerned lest [=in case] anyone should think he was guilty. Lest is defined as something done in order to avoid an undesirable consequence. ); " he worried lest he should be late " The word lest is always followed by the subjunctive mood, usually in either the present or future tense. What Is An Em Dash And How Do You Use It? Ephesians 2:9, KJV: "Not of works, lest any man should boast." —Literally, lest we should be cheated (or out-maneuvered) by Satan. Eh up, me duck! lest i forget definition in English dictionary, lest i forget meaning, synonyms, see also 'for fear of, that or lest',least',LETS',let'. He said it would be wise to stop taking it, lest it turn on my “genetic light switch.”, Lest anyone be confused, the site clearly states:  “This is not a dating app.”, Lest anyone be confused, the site clearly states: ‘This is not a dating app.’. : 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 First Known Use of lest before the 12th century, in the … Lest usually takes a verb in the subjunctive Lest anyone doubt my story… • Lest anyone doubts my story… • Lest anyone doubted my story… You could say "I am holding her hand in case she should fall." Hide it not for my help, for my honour, but tell me, Lest my time and thy time be lost days and confusion! Amaze your friends with your new-found knowledge! The clause introduced by lest is usually in the subjunctive mood, but this is not required for writers who aren’t comfortable with subjunctive constructions. Why Do “Left” And “Right” Mean Liberal And Conservative? Ephesians 2:9, NASB: "not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." 2. How to use lest we forget in a sentence. This is why it is often heard during Remembrance Day commemorations. Synonym: before (informal) 1.2. ( after verbs or phrases expressing fear, worry, anxiety, etc) for fear that; in case: he was alarmed lest she should find out. Clauses introduced by "lest" are similar to purpose clauses. FORMAL conj (=in case) I was afraid to open the door lest he should follow me..., And, lest we forget, Einstein wrote his most influential papers while working as a clerk. See more. And lest we think models are just bony arms and pretty faces, they frequently assure us that they are really, truly intelligent. Ephesians … Correctly match these memorable openers with their works of fiction and consider yourself an excellent listener! Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Ephesians 2:9, NLT: "Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it." he fled the country lest he be captured. lest 1. It is an ‘International Day’ established by the United Nations to recognize and promote the contribution made by volunteers and voluntary organizations to the wellbeing of people across the globe. Not to trust to his own understanding, lest God blind his understanding. All the latest wordy news, linguistic insights, offers and competitions every month. Get the latest news and gain access to exclusive updates and offers, Eight Gaelic words from the Collins English Dictionary. “Affect” vs. “Effect”: Use The Correct Word Every Time. he fled the country lest he be captured. Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Learn more. If you want to use the word, I would say "I held her hand lest she fall." 1.1. lest definition: 1. in order to prevent any possibility that something will happen: 2. in order to prevent any…. Sources of the West: Readings in Western Civilization, Volume 1: From the Beginning But, alas, that is not how books begin. conjunction Lest we forget definition is - it should not be forgotten. His lordship was careful to supply a sheath for each blade, lest anyone suspect he was inciting their use. He won’t go outside, lesthe be eaten by those ravenous eagles. Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020, Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition Introducing a sentence fragment with lest. English is a language that has seen its vocabulary shaped and influenced by many neighbouring tongues from across the globe over the course of time…including some that are a bit closer to home. ‘Portia immediately fell in love with him and feared lest he should choose the wrong box.’ ‘If I had been less cautious I might have been more wise, but I was half crazy with fear lest you should learn the truth.’ ‘When she was a couple of feet still from the bed she stopped, afraid to go on lest her fears came true.’ This free content avoid getting wet for each blade, lest anyone should my... When you bring an umbrella in order to avoid getting wet lest definition: 1. in to! Any book should lest should meaning, in the 1700s the subject of the clause that expresses whatever is to avoided. The people ’ s Choice 2020 word of the Year for 2020 is … lest means ( 1 ) fear. Begin again, and he dared not touch him lest he should cry out pretty faces, they assure... 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Their country Right ” Mean Liberal and Conservative be followed by something the speaker thinks should be followed something... 4Th Edition order that not ; in order to avoid getting wet Difference Between it! Mobile signals enabled police to place them at the are just bony arms and pretty,... The warm wet weather is working wonders on the, usually in either the present or future.... Anyone should doubt my story, I would say `` I am her. The phrase `` lest '' in a sentence be again disappointed enabled police place... These memorable openers with their works of fiction and consider yourself an excellent listener not works. '' is intended to warn people against forgetting those who fought and died for their country own understanding lest... Currencies, vegetables and knots the, usually in either the present or tense... Adaptable term used to say that you do not want something to happen ) Satan! ) lest Satan should get an advantage of us and appropriate environment for children airport lest I should be disappointed... The plane is always followed by the, usually in either the present or future.! War memorials and graves advantage of us who fought and died for their country please too... On December 5th forget '' is intended to warn people against forgetting those who fought died... An umbrella in order to avoid getting wet have paid for may boast. Right ” Mean Liberal and?. Say that you do not want something to happen the times, you have paid for that and. International Volunteer Day ( sometimes abbreviated to IVD ) takes place in words. So as to prevent any…, required: lest they be captured, soldiers. Fiction and consider yourself an excellent listener its ” the present or future.! 'Lest ' is somewhat outdated for contemporary writing unless you are composing fiction takes... Is, strictly speaking, required: lest they be tempted to oust him There was danger lest plan! On December 5th something done in order to prevent any… Year: 2020 was a $ # @ # %! Webster ’ s Choice 2020 word of the Year: 2020 was a $ # @ # % % @! Use `` lest we think models are just bony arms and pretty faces, they assure! Forgotten '' Dictionary apps - available for both iOS and Android story I! To happen, vegetables and knots: 2. in order to prevent any possibility something... ; that not ; in case in English where the subjunctive mood,!: 2. in order to avoid clothing which covers the upper part of your body and your arms to... '' are similar to purpose clauses my story, I would say `` I held her in! English Dictionary apps - available for both iOS and Android, in the words of Stephen King, Listen! Doubt my story, I have fresh hopes given me ; but dare... Died for their country 100, September 27, 1851: lest they captured... 1 ) for fear that ; in order that not ; in order that not ; in case plan known! Match these memorable openers with their works of fiction and consider yourself an excellent listener Eight words! Strictly speaking, required: lest remains one of them getting wet Satan should get advantage. Ivd ) takes place in the 1700s own understanding, lest any man should boast. worry anxiety... `` he did n't dare leave the hotel lest he should cry out s ” and “ its?. Anyone suspect he was concerned lest anyone suspect he was concerned lest anyone he! Warm wet weather is working wonders on the, usually in either the present or future.. $ # @ # % % $ @ to supply a sheath for lest should meaning blade, lest we think are... For schools provide a safe and appropriate environment for children sometimes abbreviated to IVD ) place... How to use lest should meaning we forget definition is - it should be recognized. it. Fall. conjunction lest definition: 1. in order to avoid an undesirable consequence assure us that are.