COULD

[could] [ME couthe, coude, fr. OE cuthe; akin to OHG konda could] past of can--used in auxiliary function in the past "we found we ~ go", in the past conditional "we said we would go if we ~", and as an alternative to can suggesting less force or certainty or as a polite form in the present "~ you do this for me" "if you ~ come we would be pleased"