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
Old English cuðe, 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.
双语例句
1. He could just about see the little man behind the counter.
他勉强能看到柜台后面的小个子男人。
来自柯林斯例句
2. So, if we could just move onto something else?
那么我们可不可以干脆谈点别的？
来自柯林斯例句
3. Northbridge is a cool, calculating and clever criminal who could strike again.
诺思布里奇是个头脑冷静、诡计多端、阴险狡诈的罪犯，他可能还会犯案。
来自柯林斯例句
4. It was feared they could break the Allies' codes.
恐怕他们会破译盟军的密码。
来自柯林斯例句
5. Politicians say it could lead to a dissolution of parliament.
