could
| Jump To: |
|
| Also found in: |
|
could definition
could (ko̵od)
auxiliary verb
- can he gave what he could give
- used as a modal auxiliary in verbal phrases with present or future time reference, generally equivalent to can in meaning and use, with the following functions:
- expressing esp. a shade of doubt or a smaller degree of ability or possibility it could be so
- expressing permission could I go?
- forming the present conditional it would help if he could wait
- forming the past conditional he would have left if he could
- expressing or suggesting politely less certainty than can could you wait?
Etymology: altered (infl. by would, should) < ME coud < OE cuthe (akin to Goth kuntha, OHG konda, ON kunna), pt. of cunnan, to be able: see can
intransitive verb
can he gave what he could
transitive verb
Obsolete can
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Alternate definitions:
Link to this page:
Cite this page:
MLA Style
"could." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009
- Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
- <www.yourdictionary.com/could>
APA Style
could. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary
- Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/could
Browse dictionary definitions near could

Comments:
Please Login or Register to post a comment