lest

连词 conj.
中文释义

英文释义

连词 conj.
  1. For fear that; that not; in order to prevent something from happening; in case. formal,literary
    — He won't go outside, lest he be eaten by those ravenous eagles.
  2. that (without the negative particle; introduces the reason for an emotion.) formal,literary
    — There was danger/alarm lest the plan become known.

词汇关系

相关词
in case lest we forget

词源

c. 1200, contracted from Middle English les te (“less that”), from Old English þȳ lǣs þe (“whereby less that”), from þȳ (instrumental case of demonstrative article þæt (“that”)) + lǣs (“less”) + þe (“that,” relative particle). The þȳ was dropped and the remaining two words contracted into leste.
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