Deeper Dive: would
would imperfect of Will. [OE. & AS. wolde. See Will, transitive verb] Commonly used as an auxiliary verb, either in the past tense or in the conditional or optative present. See 2d & 3d Will.
☞ Would was formerly used also as the past participle of Will.Right as our Lord hath would. Chaucer.Would, noun See 2d Weld.
-- Webster's unabridged 1913
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