1 lest
1. f. [cp. Engl. last, as in Orkneys and East Angl. ‘a last of herrings,’ and Old Engl. lastage = freight; Germ. last; Dan. læst], a last, burden, a measure of ship’s burden, reckoned at twelve ‘skippund,’ D. N. iv. 651, Bs. i. 545, Gþl. 371, B, K. 20, 89, MS. 732. 16 (where wrongly ten for twelve); lest gulls, Fms. xi. 351, where = talentum (?); lest járns, harðsteins, D. N.; lest síldar, N. G. L. passim: a cargo, Jb. 386. In mod. usage the tonnage of Dan. and Norse ships is counted by læster.
2 lest
II. in Icel. sense, a caravan of loaded pack-horses, Grett. 119: plur. lestir, the market season in June and July.
3 lest
COMPDS: lestamaðr, lestatal.
4 lest
2. f. reading, a lesson; meðan lestin verðr lesin, Stat. 299, N. G. L. i. 390.