could: [16] Could began life as cūthe, the past tense of Old English cunnan ‘can’. By Middle English times this had become couthe, and in the 14th century it developed to coude under the influence of the standard past tense ending (e)de. The l was introduced in the 16th century, to bring coude into line with would and should. => kith, uncouth
could (v.)
Old English cuee, past tense of cunnan "to be able" (see can (v.1)); ending changed 14c. to standard English -d(e). The excrescent -l- was added 15c.-16c. on model of would, should, where it is historical.
雙語例句
1. He could just about see the little man behind the counter.
他勉強能看到柜臺后面的小個子男人。
來自柯林斯例句
2. So, if we could just move onto something else?
那么我們可不可以干脆談點別的？
來自柯林斯例句
3. Northbridge is a cool, calculating and clever criminal who could strike again.
諾思布里奇是個頭腦冷靜、詭計多端、陰險狡詐的罪犯，他可能還會犯案。
來自柯林斯例句
4. It was feared they could break the Allies' codes.
恐怕他們會破譯盟軍的密碼。
來自柯林斯例句
5. Politicians say it could lead to a dissolution of parliament.