■ modal verb ( 3rd singular present ~ )
1》 past of will 1 , in various senses.
2》 (expressing the conditional mood) indicating the consequence of an imagined event.
↘( I ~ ) used to give advice.
3》 expressing a desire.
↘expressing consent.
4》 expressing a polite request.
5》 expressing a conjecture or opinion.
6》 literary expressing a wish or regret.
Origin
OE wolde , past of wyllan (see will 1 ).
Usage
On the differences in use between ~ and should , see usage at should .
For a discussion of the use of ~ of instead of ~ have , see usage at have .