[woo
d; unstressed wuhd] 
| 1. | a pt. and pp. of will 1 . |
| 2. | (used to express the future in past sentences): He said he would go tomorrow. |
| 3. | (used in place of will, to make a statement or form a question less direct or blunt): That would scarcely be fair. Would you be so kind? |
| 4. | (used to express repeated or habitual action in the past): We would visit Grandma every morning up at the farm. |
| 5. | (used to express an intention or inclination): Nutritionists would have us all eat whole grains. |
| 6. | (used to express a wish): Would he were here! |
| 7. | (used to express an uncertainty): It would appear that he is guilty. |
| 8. | (used in conditional sentences to express choice or possibility): They would come if they had the fare. If the temperature were higher, the water would evaporate. |
| 9. | would have, (used with a past participle to express unfulfilled intention or preference): I would have saved you some but Jimmy took it all. |
| 10. | would like, (used to express desire): I would like to go next year. |
| 11. | would rather. rather (def. 8). |