See would in Webster's New World College Dictionary
auxiliary verb
will: she said she would be finished before six, in those days we would talk for hours on end
used to express a supposition or condition: he would write if he knew you would answer; I wouldn't do that for anything
used to make a very polite or formal request: would you please open the window?
transitive verb
Old Poet. if only; I wish: would that she were here
See would in American Heritage Dictionary 4
(wo͝od)
aux.v.Past tense ofwill2
Used to express desire or intent: She said she would meet us at the corner.
Used to express a wish: Would that we had gone with you!
Used after a statement of desire, request, or advice: I wish you would stay.
Used to make a polite request: Would you go with me?
Used in the main clause of a conditional statement to express a possibility or likelihood: If I had enough money, I would buy a car. We would have gone to the beach, had the weather been good. See Usage Note at if.
Used to express presumption or expectation: That would be Steve at the door.
Used to indicate uncertainty: He would seem to be getting better.
Used to express repeated or habitual action in the past: Every morning we would walk in the garden.