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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Lest, v.² Also: leste and Laste. [Cf. midl. ME. lest(e (14th c.) and List v.]

1. impers. To be pleasing to (one, to do something): me lest, I please, choose, like, or desire.(1) pres. t. a1400 Leg. S. xv. 43.
Quhare-to for now me lest nocht rek Ib. xxv. 205.
My gud brethyre, quhy lest ȝou le? a1500 Lanc. 554.
This is my charge … whilk if youe lest For to fulfill … he most tendir shal youe haldpast t. a1400 Leg. S. iv. 146.
Quhene Hermogines wes fre To ga quhare euir hym lest to be 1513 Doug. i. ii. 16.
Les thai suld … drive about Erd, ayr and sey, quhen euer thame lest blaw out(2) pres. t. 1375 Barb. vii. 314.
Thai ly scalit as thame lest [: best] 1456 Hay I. 106/17. Ib. 127/24.
The pape … may tak fra thame thair foresaid jurisdictioun and geve it quhare him lest Ib. 275/14.
A man that accusis ane othir may cesse quhen him lest fra accusacioun of that crime Ib. 277/19.
In were tyme new men of armes … may … tak armes at thair lyking, syk as thame lest a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. clxxiv. 50.
Ilk … limmer … sall do quhat thing thame lest [: best]past t. a1400 Leg. S. ii. 216.
He wald ga Quhare sa hym leste 1405 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 58.
[They] past syne … to land & departit the gudis thar as tham lest ?1438 Alex. ii. 3617.
Thay … carpit thare lyking as thame lest [: best] 1535 Stewart 17841.
Throw Gallia he passit hame to Rome, Remanit thair at laser as him lest [: rest]

2. personal, tr. To please, choose, care, or wish (to do something).pres. t. c1400 Troy-bk. i. 475.
Men lest notht the teynd to here, For yrknes of this mater c1475 Wall. v. 123; 1513 Doug. iii. Prol. 27.
Deyme as yhe lest, ye that best can and may Ib. ix. v. 131.
Lat fortoun send ws gude lulk, gif scho lest [: best], Or mysaventour a1568 Bann. MS. 224 a/5.
Gif that [= if perchance, in case] … My souerane lady lest to dedene To rew vpoun my wofull eventure a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. cviii. 4.
Sens ȝe may haue conferring as ȝe lest [: drest, rest] Ib. clxxviii. 111.
On to thair taillis quha lest attend Thay knaw all to the wardillis endinfin. 1535 Stewart 9761.
Of bowmen bald … With bowis big … Wald lest to draw as darflie as thai dowpast t. a1400 Leg. S. xviii. 148.
Ilkane tuk with hyme sic fude As thai beste leste 1535 Stewart 15284.
How the Romanis neirby thre hundreth ȝeir Hes occupyit oure landis as tha lest [: best]