World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English Dictionaries唯恐
Pronunciation / Transliteration: wéikǒng
"他小心翼翼，唯恐惹麻烦。"
Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
With the intention of preventing something; for fear that.
"She hurried home lest she should be caught in the rain." - 2
In case that; to avoid the risk of.
"He kept his voice low lest anyone might overhear them."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Derived from Old English 'lý læs þe', meaning 'less that' or 'for fear that'. Over centuries, the phrase contracted into the single conjunction 'lest', maintaining its archaic and literary function of introducing a negative clause expressing fear or prevention.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Lest"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Lest" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
de peur que
Transliteration: de pœʁ kə
"Elle partit de peur qu'il ne pleuve."
damit nicht
Transliteration: daˈmiːt nɪçt
"Er schwieg, damit niemand ihn hörte."
affinché non
Transliteration: afinˈke nɔn
"Corse via affinché non lo vedessero."
no sea que
Transliteration: no ˈsea ke
"Cerró la puerta no sea que entrara frío."
para que não
Transliteration: ˈpaɾɐ ki nɐ̃w̃
"Ele saiu cedo para que não perdesse o trem."
ऐसा न हो कि
Transliteration: aisā na ho ki
"वह धीरे चला ऐसा न हो कि वह गिर जाए।"
唯恐
Transliteration: wéikǒng
"他小心翼翼，唯恐惹麻烦。"
~할까 봐
Transliteration: ~halkka bwa
"비가 올까 봐 우산을 챙겼다."
〜しないように
Transliteration: ~shinai yō ni
Script: ~しないように
"雨に降られないように急いだ。"
Related Vocabulary Words to Explore
View all Chinese termsA barracks or building intended for the accommodation of soldiers, usually located within a fortified place.
A secondary residence owned or rented by a family or individual, used primarily for recreational purposes, holidays, or seasonal getaways.
Not producing or containing venom; incapable of injecting poison through a bite, sting, or other mechanism.
Explore Nuanced Synonyms for "Lest"
Discover exact matches, context-specific alternatives, and antonyms with intensity ratings in the VocabDictionary Thesaurus.
Enhance Your Writing & Grammar Precision
Linguistic Origins & Word Stories
View all stories →How Are Palisade Cells Adapted for Photosynthesis (and Why Are They Called 'Palisade')?
Palisade mesophyll cells are column-shaped, densely packed with chloroplasts, and positioned near the leaf's upper surface to maximize light absorption for photosynthesis. Their name comes from the French word for a defensive fence of wooden stakes, referencing their tightly aligned, upright cellular structure.
What is a SLOT SWOT Analysis and How Do You Actually Do One?
A SLOT SWOT analysis is an expanded strategic planning framework that blends personal or organizational 'SLOT' (Strengths, Limitations, Opportunities, Threats) metrics with traditional 'SWOT' dynamics. It provides a granular approach to evaluating internal capabilities against external market realities.