modal auxiliary
noun
Grammar.
any of the group of English auxiliary verbs, including can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, would, and must, that are used with the base form of another verb to express distinctions of mood.
Origin of modal auxiliary
First recorded in 1930–35
Words nearby modal auxiliary
mod cons,
mod.,
mod. praesc.,
modacrylic fiber,
modal,
modal auxiliary,
modal logic,
modality,
modding,
mode,
model