would

1. will she said she would be finished before six, in those days we would talk for hours on end
2. used to express a supposition or condition he would write if he knew you would answer; I wouldn't do that for anything
3. used to make a very polite or formal request would you please open the window?

Etymology: ME wolde < OE, pt. of willan, to wish, will

transitive verb

Old Poet. if only; I wish would that she were here