could

aux. 能够

v. 能（can的过去式）

中文词源

could 可以

来自can，能。-d, 过去分词后缀。

could: 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 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.

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。

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。

5. Politicians say it could lead to a dissolution of parliament.: 政客们说这可能会导致议会解散。