transcription, транскрипция: [ kəd, ˈku̇d ]
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 said we would go if we could
and as an alternative to can suggesting less force or certainty or as a polite form in the present
if you could come we would be pleased