case

noun \ ˈkās \

Definition of case

1 a :a set of circumstances or conditions

is the statement true in all three cases

b (1) :a situation requiring investigation or action (as by the police)

Her disappearance is a case for the police.

(2) :the object of investigation or consideration

The child's case was turned over to state authorities.

2 :condition; specifically :condition of body or mind

[Middle English cas, from Anglo-French, from Latin casus, translation of Greek ptōsis, literally, fall]

a :an inflectional form of a noun, pronoun, or adjective indicating its grammatical relation to other words

the possessive case

b :such a relation whether indicated by inflection or not

4 :what actually exists or happens :fact

thought he had failed, but that wasn't the case

5 a :a suit or action in law or equity

a criminal case

a civil case

b (1) :the evidence supporting a conclusion or judgment

(2) :argument; especially :a convincing argument

makes a good case for adopting the proposal

6 a :an instance of disease or injury

a case of pneumonia

; also :patient

Dr. Berg's cases

b :an instance that directs attention to a situation or exhibits it in action :example

c :a peculiar person :character

The gangsters were hard cases.

7 :oneself considered as an object of harassment or criticism

get off my case

— in any case

:without regard to or in spite of other considerations :whatever else is done or is the case

war is inevitable in any case

in any case the report will be made public next month

— in case

:as a precaution

took an umbrella, just in case

— in case of

:in the event of

in case of trouble, yell

Origin and Etymology of case

Middle English cas, from Anglo-French, from Latin casus fall, chance, from cadere to fall — more at chance

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of case

instance, case, illustration, example, sample, specimen mean something that exhibits distinguishing characteristics in its category. instance applies to any individual person, act, or thing that may be offered to illustrate or explain.

- an instance of history repeating itself

case is used to direct attention to a real or assumed occurrence or situation that is to be considered, studied, or dealt with.

- a case of mistaken identity

illustration applies to an instance offered as a means of clarifying or illuminating a general statement.

- a telling illustration of Murphy's Law

example applies to a typical, representative, or illustrative instance or case.

- a typical example of bureaucratic waste

sample implies a part or unit taken at random from a larger whole and so presumed to be typical of its qualities.

- show us a sample of your work

specimen applies to any example or sample whether representative or merely existent and available.

- one of the finest specimens of the jeweler's art

case

noun

Definition of case

1 a :a box or receptacle for holding something

a display case in a museum

b :a box together with its contents

a case of beer

c :set; specifically :pair

a case of pistols

2 a :an outer covering or housing

a pastry case

b :a tube into which the components of a round of ammunition are loaded

3 :a divided tray for holding printing type

4 :the frame of a door or window :casing

Origin and Etymology of case

Middle English cas, from Anglo-French case, chase, from Latin capsa chest, case, probably from capere to take — more at heave

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

case

verb

Definition of case

cased; casing

transitive verb

1 :to enclose in or cover with or as if with a case :encase

cased his coin collection

2 :to line (something, such as a well) with supporting material (such as metal pipe)

3 :to inspect or study especially with intent to rob

cased the bank before the robbery

See case defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of case

circa 1525

CASE Defined for English Language Learners

case

verb

Definition of case for English Language Learners

: to study or watch (a house, store, etc.) with plans to rob it

CASE Defined for Kids

case

noun \ ˈkās \

Definition of case for Students

1 :a particular instance, situation, or example

a case of injustice

2 :a situation or an object that calls for investigation or action (as by the police)

3 :a question to be settled in a court of law

4 :a form of a noun, pronoun, or adjective showing its grammatical relation to other words

The word “child's” in “the child's toy” is in the possessive case.

5 :the actual situation

I was called greedy, but that is not the case.

6 :a convincing argument

A case could be made for promoting her.

7 :an instance of disease, injury, or discomfort

a case of chicken pox

— in any case

:no matter what has happened or been said

He couldn't find the keys and in any case there was no gas in the car.

— in case

:for the purpose of being ready for something that might happen

Take an umbrella in case it rains.

case

noun

Definition of case for Students

1 :a container (as a box) for holding something

2 :a box and its contents

a case of books

3 :an outer covering

Medical Dictionary

case

noun \ ˈkās \

medical Definition of case

1 :the circumstances and situation of a particular person or group

2 a :an instance of disease or injury

10 cases of pneumonia

b :patient 1

Law Dictionary

case

noun

legal Definition of case

1 a :a civil or criminal suit or action

the judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law and equity, arising under this Constitution
—U.S. Constitution art. III

— see also controversy, small tax case

— case at bar

:a case being considered by the court

the facts of the case at bar

— case of first impression

:a case that presents an issue or question never before decided or considered by the court

— companion case

:a case that is heard with another case because it involves similar or related questions of law

— test case

1 :a representative case whose outcome will serve as precedent for future cases and especially for pending cases involving similar or related issues or circumstances and often some of the same parties

Note: A test case is selected from a number of cases in order to avoid a flood of litigation. All of the parties to the cases must agree to accept the outcome of the test case as binding.

2 :a proceeding usually in the form of a suit for injunction brought to obtain a decision as to the constitutionality of a statute

b :the reported facts, procedural history, and especially decision in an action

— landmark case

:a case that marks a significant turning point on a particular issue

— leading case

:a case so well reasoned and important in the rules of law determined and in the principles declared that it becomes well-known and is frequently cited by courts and lawyers as settling the points of law ruled upon and as useful in resolving new questions of law

c :the evidence and arguments presented by a party in court — see also case stated

— case in chief

:the main part of a party's case including arguments for which the party bears the burden of proof but not including rebuttal

— prima facie case

:a case established by evidence that is sufficient to raise a presumption of fact or establish the fact in question unless rebutted

2 :trespass on the case at trespass