This compound conjunction introduces a clause expressing feared consequence or negative purpose. In Matthew 25:9, the wise virgins use it to explain why they cannot share their oil—lest there not be enough for both groups. The multilingual evidence shows interpretive variation: Spanish quizás (perhaps), French de peur que (for fear that), German preserves the Greek. Classical usage spans prohibition, warning, and purpose clauses expressing what must be avoided. The term carries both precautionary and conditional nuances.