auxiliary verb

1. can he gave what he could give
2. 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:
   1. expressing esp. a shade of doubt or a smaller degree of ability or possibility it could be so
   2. expressing permission could I go?
   3. forming the present conditional it would help if he could wait
   4. forming the past conditional he would have left if he could
   5. 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

transitive verb