conj. Forms: 1 þý lǽs þe, þe lǽs þe, þe lǽste, 2 þi les ða, 3–5 last(e, leste, les, 5 lesse, 4–8 leest, 4–5 lyst(e, 6–8 Sc. leist, 6–9 least(e, 4– lest. [OE. phrase þý lǽs þe, lit. ‘whereby less’ L. quōminus (þý instrumental of the dem. and rel. pron. + lǽs LESS a. + þe relative particle). In ME. The first word of the phrase was dropped, and les þe became les te in accordance with the general rule that þ after s changed into t.]
1. Used as a negative particle of intention or purpose, introducing a clause expressive of something to be prevented or guarded against; = L. nē, Eng. that … not, for fear that.
c. 1000. Ags. Gosp., John v. 14. Ne synga þu þe-læs þe þe on sumon þingon wyrs ʓetide.
a. 1100. in Napier, O. E. Glosses, i. 3675. Ne … offenderit, þe læste ʓehremde.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 117. Vnderfoð steore þi les ðe god iwurðe wrað wið eou.
a. 1240. Lofsong, in Cott. Hom., 209. Ne bi-hold þu ham [mine sunnen] nout leste þu wreoke ham on me.
c. 1330. Spec. Gy Warw., 856. Go, man, while þat þu hast liht, Lest þe of-take þe derke niht.
c. 1385. Chaucer, L. G. W., 723, Thisbe. I-kept … fful streyte lyst they dedyn sum folye.
1393. Langl., P. Pl., C. XXI. 337. Ich sotelide how ich myghte Lette hem þat louede hym nat lest þei wolde hym martrye.
a. 1400–50. Alexander, 732 (Ashm.). Haue a gud eȝe, Les [Dublin MS. lest] on þine and here efterward þine ossyngis liȝt. Ibid., 1372 (Dubl.). And band hir … Lest sho flechett or faylett with fyfe score ankers.
1526. Tindale, Mark xiii. 5. Take hede lest eny man deceave you.
1567. Gude & Godlie Ball. (S.T.S.), 41. That he my fyve brether aduerteis may, Leist thay in to this cairfull place discend.
1599. H. Buttes, Dyets drie Dinner, A iv b. The which least I should seeme only idlely to wish, I have [etc.].
1677. Moxon, Mech. Exerc., 41. Forge your work as true as you can, least it cost you great pains at the Vice.
1741. Richardson, Pamela (1824), I. 175. But, least you should be alarmed, if I don’t come home by ten, don’t expect me.
1795. Burns, ‘Last May a braw wooer,’ vi. But owre my left shouther I gae him a blink Leest neebours might say I was saucy.
1797. T. Jefferson, Writ. (1859), IV. 174. Nobody scarcely will venture to buy or draw bills, lest they should be paid there in depreciated currency.
1815. W. Taylor, in Robberds, Mem., II. 454. I did not like to write to you without the book at my elbow, least I should misremember.
1855. Cornwall, 262. Look to the Purser well, lest he look to himself too well.
1897. R. Kipling, Recessional. Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet, Lest we forget, lest we forget.
† b. Lest that: in the same sense. Obs.
c. 1400. Lanfranc’s Cirurg., 43. Nouȝt to hot a medycine, leste þat he make þe lyme toswellyn.
1426. Lydg., De Guil. Pilgr., 8204. Lyst that she were wroth with me, I suffrede.
c. 1491. Chast. Goddes Chyld., 9. Leest that ye lese him in your owne defawte.
1559. W. Cunningham, Cosmogr. Glasse, 115. Least that the difficultie of the thing mighte somwhat discouragie you, I will [etc.].
† c. Lest when = L. nequando: lest at any time.
a. 1300. E. E. Psalter ii. 12. Gripes lare, leswhen [Vulg. nequando] lauerd wrethide be.
a. 1340. Hampole, Psalter, cxxxix. 9. Forsake me noght leswhen [L. ne forte] þai be heghid.
2. Used after verbs of fearing, or phrases indicating apprehension or danger, to introduce a clause expressing the event that is feared; equivalent to the L. nē, and in Eng. often admitting of being replaced by that (without accompanying negative).
c. 1000. Ælfric, Gen. xxxii. 11. For þam þe ic hine [Esau] swiðe ondræde, þe læs þe he cume and ofslea þas modra mid hiora cildum.
1297. R. Glouc. (Rolls), 10415. Þe king was nei for drede wod … Laste þe king of fraunce & mansing him ssolde ssende.
c. 1350. Will. Palerne, 953. He was a-drad to þe deþ last sche him dere wold.
a. 1400[?]. Arthur, 289. We dowteþ last he wel do soo, For he ys Myghty know þer-too.
a. 1533. Ld. Berners, Huon, lxii. 214. My hert trymbleth for fere leest he be deed.
1560. Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 270. There is daunger, lest or euer they be ready, the enemy wyl haue inuaded his countrey.
1596. Dalrymple, trans. Leslie’s Hist. Scot., I. 95. A reuerend feir … leist thay offend in things of honestie.
1657. Austen, Fruit Trees, I. 42. All the danger is least we take too much liberty herein.
1750. H. Walpole, Lett. (1846), II. 316. Lady Catherine grew frightened, lest her infanta should vex herself sick.
1823. F. Clissold, Ascent Mt. Blanc, 20. I felt a strong inclination to sleep, and feared lest I should drop down.
1881. Punch, 29 Oct., 198. Fearing lest they should succumb.
