Lest
来自Big Physics
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Old English thȳ lǣs the ‘whereby less that’, later the læste .
wiktionary
c. 1200, contracted from Middle Englishles te(“less that”), from Old English þy læs þe(“whereby less that”), from þy (instrumental case of demonstrative article þæt “that”) + læs(“less”) + þe(“the”). The þy was dropped and the remaining two words contracted into leste. [1]
etymonline
lest (conj.)
c. 1200, "that not," especially "for fear that" [OED calls it a negative particle of intention], from a contraction of the Old English phrase þy læs þe "the less that," from þy, instrumental case of demonstrative article þæt "that" + læs (see less) + conjunction þe (see the). The þy was dropped and the remaining two words contracted into early Middle English leste.