- lest (conj.)
[lest 词源字典]
- c. 1200, contracted from Middle English phrase les te "less that," from Old English phrase þy læs þe "whereby less that," from þy, instrumental case of demonstrative article þæt "that" + læs (see less) + þe "the." The þy was dropped and the remaining two words contracted into leste.[lest etymology, lest origin, 英语词源]