Case Definition

kās
cased, cases, casing
noun
cases
An example, instance, or occurrence.
A case of carelessness, a case of measles.
Webster's New World
An occurrence of a disease or disorder.
A mild case of flu.
American Heritage
A set of circumstances or a state of affairs; a situation.
It may rain, in which case the hike will be canceled.
American Heritage
A statement of the facts or circumstances, as in a law court, esp. the argument of one side.
The case for the defendant.
Webster's New World
Actual fact; reality.
We suspected the walls were hollow, and this proved to be the case.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
verb
cased, cases, casing
To put into a container.
Webster's New World
To look over carefully, esp. in preparation for an intended robbery.
Webster's New World
To cover or enclose.
Webster's New World

(obsolete) To propose hypothetical cases.

Wiktionary

To place (an item or items of manufacture) into a box, as in preparation for shipment.

Wiktionary
adjective
(poker slang) The last remaining card of a particular rank.
He drew the case eight!
Wiktionary
idiom
in any case
  • Regardless of what has occurred or will occur.
American Heritage
in case
  • If it happens that; if.
  • As a precaution:

    took along an umbrella, just in case.

American Heritage
in case of
  • If there should happen to be:

    a number to call in case of emergency.

American Heritage
off (someone's) case
  • No longer nagging or urging someone to do something.
American Heritage
on (someone's) case
  • Persistently nagging or urging someone to do something.
American Heritage

Other Word Forms of Case

Noun

Singular:
case
Plural:
cases

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Case

Origin of Case

  • From Middle English cas, from Old French cas (“an event”), from Latin casus (“a falling, a fall; accident, event, occurrence; occasion, opportunity; noun case”), perfect passive participle of cado (“to fall, to drop”), from Proto-Indo-European *kad- (“to fall”).

    From Wiktionary

  • From Middle English cas, from Old Northern French casse, Old French chasse (“box, chest, case”), from Latin capsa (“box, bookcase”), from capio (“to take, seize, hold”).

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English cas from Old French from Latin cāsus from past participle of cadere to fall kad- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Middle English from Norman French casse from Latin capsa

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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