lest

Significado (English)

1. For fear that; that not; in order to prevent something from happening; in case.
2. that (without the negative particle; introduces the reason for an emotion.)

Conceptos

por temor a que

si

no sea que

por miedo a que

Synonyms

in case

we hope not

may it not be that

that

otherwise

for fear that

must not

should not

if perchance

if

in case he might

may

or else

preclusive

unless

in order not to

Pronunciado como (IPA)

/lɛst/

Etimología (English)

Inherited from inglés medio:

Inherited from inglés antiguo: þȳ lǣs þe

In summary

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.