would

would
verb, past of will Etymology: Middle English wolde, from Old English; akin to Old High German wolta wished, desired Date: before 12th century 1. a. archaic wished, desired b. archaic wish for ; want c. (1) strongly desire ; wish <
I would I were young again
>
— often used without a subject and with that in a past or conditional construction <
would that I had heeded your advice
>
(2) — used in auxiliary function with rather or sooner to express preference <
he would sooner die than face them
>
2. a. — used in auxiliary function to express wish, desire, or intent <
those who would forbid gambling
>
b. — used in auxiliary function to express willingness or preference <
as ye would that men should do to you — Luke 6:31 (Authorized Version)
>
c. — used in auxiliary function to express plan or intention <
said we would come
>
3. — used in auxiliary function to express custom or habitual action <
we would meet often for lunch
>
4. — used in auxiliary function to express consent or choice <
would put it off if he could
>
5. a. — used in auxiliary function in the conclusion of a conditional sentence to express a contingency or possibility <
if he were coming, he would be here now
>
b. — used in auxiliary function in a noun clause (as one completing a statement of desire, request, or advice) <
we wish that he would go
>
6. — used in auxiliary function to express probability or presumption in past or present time <
would have won if I had not tripped
>
7. could <
the barrel would hold 20 gallons
>
8. — used in auxiliary function to express a request with which voluntary compliance is expected <
would you please help us
>
9. — used in auxiliary function to express doubt or uncertainty <
the explanation…would seem satisfactory
>
10. should <
knew I would enjoy the trip
>
<
would be glad to know the answer
>

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • would — [ wud ] modal verb *** Would is usually followed by an infinitive without to : A picnic would be nice. Sometimes it is used without a following infinitive: They didn t do as much as they said they would. In conversation and informal writing,… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • would — W1S1 [wud] modal v negative short form wouldn t ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1¦(past intentions/expectations)¦ 2¦(imagined situations)¦ 3¦(past habits)¦ 4¦(requesting)¦ 5¦(offering/inviting)¦ 6¦(what somebody wants)¦ 7¦(past purpose)¦ 8 would not …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • would — [wood] v.aux. [ME wolde < OE, pt. of willan, to wish, WILL1] 1. pt. of WILL2 [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 …   English World dictionary

  • Would? — «Would?» Сингл Alice in Chains из альбома Dirt Выпущен 1992 Формат CD, винил, кассета Жанр гранж, хеви метал, альтернативный метал …   Википедия

  • Would — Would, imp. of {Will}. [OE. & AS. wolde. See {Will}, v. t.] Commonly used as an auxiliary verb, either in the past tense or in the conditional or optative present. See 2d & 3d {Will}. [1913 Webster] Note: Would was formerly used also as the past… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Would? — «Would?» Sencillo de Alice in Chains del álbum Dirt Grabación Marzo Mayo 1992 Género(s) Grunge, heavy metal, metal alternativo Duración 3:27 …   Wikipedia Español

  • would've — would’ve UK [ˈwʊdəv] US short form mainly spoken the usual way of saying ‘would have’ Thesaurus: short formshyponym * * * /ˈwʊdəv/ used as a contraction of would have I would ve picked you up from the airport if I had known you were coming …   Useful english dictionary

  • Would-be — a. Desiring or professing to be; vainly pretending to be; as, a would be poet. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Would — may refer to: * English modal auxiliary verb#Would *Would?, a 1992 song by the grunge group Alice in Chains …   Wikipedia

  • would-be — would ,be adjective only before noun * hoping or trying to do something: The would be thieves smashed a glass panel in the front door. would be diplomats/lawyers/referees …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • would-be — would′ be adj. 1) wishing or pretending to be: a would be wit[/ex] 2) intended to be: a would be kindness[/ex] • Etymology: 1250–1300 …   From formal English to slang

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