[kʌudst]

Definitions

1. verb

used in the past tense of the verb ‘can’ or ‘be able to’ (archaic and poetic)

“I couldst have told thee so if thou hadst asked.”

2. auxiliary verb

used in the past tense of the verb ‘can’ or ‘be able to’ (archaic and poetic)

“He couldst have done it if he had tried.”

3. past tense of could

the past tense of the auxiliary verb ‘could’, used in the past perfect tense to express past ability or possibility

“They couldst have eaten more if they had wanted.”