Definition

1. Conjunction:
   • With the intention of preventing (something undesirable); to avoid the risk of: "lest" introduces a clause expressing a reason for caution or an action taken to prevent a negative outcome.
   • For fear that: "lest" is used to indicate that someone is afraid that something might happen, often following verbs like "fear," "worry," or "be afraid."

Usage Examples

• (We must hurry to avoid missing the train.)
• (She spoke quietly because she was afraid someone might hear her.)
• (He locked the door to prevent the children from escaping.)

Advanced Usage

• "lest ... should": A formal construction where "lest" is followed by a clause using "should" to express a hypothetical or feared outcome.
  • They were afraid lest the plan should fail. (They feared that the plan might fail.)
• "lest ... (not)": In older or very formal English, "lest" can be followed by a subjunctive verb without "should."
  • Take heed, lest you fall. (Be careful so that you do not fall.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lest is an archaic or formal conjunction with no direct derived variants, but it is related to:
  • "for fear that" (phrase): a synonym expressing the same idea.
  • "in case" (phrase): a more common modern equivalent, though less formal.

Synonyms

• For fear that: used to introduce a clause expressing a negative possibility.
  • He wrote down the instructions, for fear that he might forget. (He wrote them down because he was afraid of forgetting.)
• In order to avoid: used to express purpose.
  • She checked the map, in order to avoid getting lost. (She checked the map to prevent getting lost.)
• So that ... not: a more modern construction.
  • He whispered, so that the baby would not wake. (He whispered to prevent waking the baby.)

Related Idioms

• Lest we forget: a fixed phrase often used in commemorative contexts, meaning "so that we do not forget."
  • We remember the soldiers, lest we forget their sacrifice. (We remember them to avoid forgetting their sacrifice.)
• Lest there be any doubt: used to emphasize clarity or certainty.
  • I state this clearly, lest there be any doubt about my intentions. (I state this to remove any possible doubt.)