- in order to prevent something from happening. He gripped his brother's arm lest he be trampled by the mob. Lest anyone should doubt my story, I have brought documents to attest to its truth. ...
- used to introduce the reason for the particular emotion mentioned. She was afraid lest she had revealed too much.
Is lest always followed by should?
1 Answer. 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.
How do we use the word lest?
- in order to prevent something from happening. He gripped his brother's arm lest he be trampled by the mob. Lest anyone should doubt my story, I have brought documents to attest to its truth. ...
- used to introduce the reason for the particular emotion mentioned. She was afraid lest she had revealed too much.
Does lest mean unless?
is that lest is for fear that ; that not; in order that not; in case while unless is except on a specified condition; if not.
Why we use should After lest?
1 Answer. 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 .
What type of word is Lest?
lest. / (lɛst) / conjunction (subordinating; takes should or a subjunctive verb ) so as to prevent any possibility thathe fled the country lest he be captured and imprisoned. (after verbs or phrases expressing fear, worry, anxiety, etc) for fear that; in casehe was alarmed lest she should find out.
What does Lest you mean?
: for fear that . —used when you are saying something in order to prevent something from happening.
What is used with lest?
/lest/ (formal or literary) in order to prevent something from happening . He gripped his brother's arm lest he be trampled by the mob . Lest anyone should doubt my story, I have brought documents to attest to its truth.
What is lest in Old English?
conj. 1. For fear that: tiptoed lest the guard should hear her; anxious lest he become ill. 2. ... [Middle English, from Old English (thȳ) lǣs the, (whereby) less that, so that not : lǣs, less; see less + the, relative conjunction; see to- in Indo-European roots.]
Why do we say lest?
What is the meaning of ‘lest'? ... The word is a contraction of the phrase ‘les te' meaning ‘less that'. With the passage of time, the phrase was reduced to ‘lest' meaning ‘ for fear that ‘ or ‘in order that'. The use of this word suggests that you would like to prevent something from happening.
Is lest a formal word?
6 Answers. It's a conjunction mostly used in formal documents . The word originally comes from old English and means to prevent something undesirable from happening and in case. She tiptoed lest her mother should hear her.
Is the word lest still used?
A: The word “lest” is normally used with a verb that's in the subjunctive mood or that's accompanied by “should.” ... One of these survivors is the continued use of “lest” with the subjunctive.
What does Lest mean in Bible?
: for fear that . —used when you are saying something in order to prevent something from happening.
Who first said Lest we forget?
The phrase “lest we forget” comes from “Recessional” by Rudyard Kipling , which is often sung as a hymn during Anzac ceremonies in New Zealand and Australia. “Recessional” was written at a time when the British Empire was at its zenith.
What does Lest we forget mean UK?
The phrase “lest we forget” is intended to warn people against forgetting those who fought and died for their country. It's literal translation is “ should not be forgotten “. This is why it is often heard during Remembrance Day commemorations. It is often inscribed on war memorials and graves.
