A verb form that depends on how its containing clause relates to the speaker’s or writer’s wish, intent, or assertion about reality.
Origin
From Middle English mood, mode, mod, from Old English mōd, from Proto-Germanic *mōdą, *mōdaz, from Proto-Indo-European *moh₁-, *meh₁-. Cognate with Scots mude, muid, Saterland Frisian Moud ("courage"), West Frisian moed ("mind, spirit, courage, will, intention"), Dutch moed ("courage, bravery, heart, valor"), German Low German Mood, German Mut ("courage, braveness, heart, spirit"), Danish mod ("courage, heart, bravery"), Swedish mod ("courage, heart, bravery"), Icelandic móður ("wrath, grief, moodiness"), Latin mōs ("will, humour, wont, inclination, mood"), Russian сметь ("to dare, venture").