could — [ weak kəd, strong kud ] modal verb *** Could is usually followed by an infinitive without to : I m glad you could come. Sometimes it is used without a following infinitive: I came as quickly as I could. Could does not change its form, so the… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
could — W1S1 [kəd strong kud] modal v negative short form couldn t ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1¦(past ability)¦ 2¦(possibility)¦ 3¦(emphasizing your feelings)¦ 4¦(requesting)¦ 5¦(suggesting)¦ 6¦(annoyance)¦ 7 couldn t be better/worse/more pleased etc 8 I couldn t … Dictionary of contemporary English
Could — (k??d), imp. of {Can}. [OF. coude. The l was inserted by mistake, under the influence of should and would.] Was, should be, or would be, able, capable, or susceptible. Used as an auxiliary, in the past tense or in the conditional present. [1913… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
could've — [kood′əv] contraction could have * * * … Universalium
could — O.E. cuðe, pt. of cunnan to be able (see CAN (Cf. can) (v.)); ending changed 14c. to standard English d(e). The excrescent l was added 15c. 16c. on model of would, should, where it is historical … Etymology dictionary
could — [[t]kəd, STRONG kʊd[/t]] ♦ (Could is a modal verb. It is used with the base form of a verb. Could is sometimes considered to be the past form of can, but in this dictionary the two words are dealt with separately.) 1) MODAL You use could to… … English dictionary
could — /kood/; unstressed /keuhd/, v. 1. a pt. of can1. auxiliary verb. 2. (used to express possibility): I wonder who that could be at the door. That couldn t be true. 3. (used to express conditional possibility or ability): You could do it if you… … Universalium
could of — In normal speech, could have sounds like could ve, which in turn sounds like could of. Not only could of but also may of, might of, should of, and would of are illiteracies. Of is not a verb. I could hav … Dictionary of problem words and expressions
could — verbal auxiliary, past of can Etymology: Middle English couthe, coude, from Old English cūthe; akin to Old High German konda could Date: 13th century used in auxiliary function in the past < we found we could go >, in the past conditional < we… … New Collegiate Dictionary
Could — Can Can, v. t. & i. Note: [The transitive use is obsolete.] [imp. {Could}.] [OE. cunnen, cannen (1st sing. pres. I can), to know, know how, be able, AS. cunnan, 1st sing. pres. ic cann or can, pl. cunnon, 1st sing. imp. c[=u][eth]e (for… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Could It Be — Eurovision Song Contest 1991 entry Country Malta Artist(s) Georgina Abela, Paul Giordimaina … Wikipedia