I. ˈkās noun
Etymology: Middle English cas, from Anglo-French, from Latin casus fall, chance, from cadere to fall — more at chance
Date: 13th century
1.
a. : a set of circumstances or conditions
is the statement true in all three case s
b.
(1) : a situation requiring investigation or action (as by the police)
(2) : the object of investigation or consideration
2. : condition ; specifically : condition of body or mind
3.
[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
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
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
b. : an instance that directs attention to a situation or exhibits it in action : example
c. : a peculiar person : character
7. : oneself considered as an object of harassment or criticism
get off my case
Synonyms: see instance
•
- in any case
- in case
- in case of
II. noun
Etymology: Middle English cas, from Anglo-French case, chase, from Latin capsa chest, case, probably from capere to take — more at heave
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : a box or receptacle for holding something
b. : a box together with its contents
c. : set ; specifically : pair
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
III. transitive verb
( cased ; cas·ing )
Date: 1575
1. : to enclose in or cover with or as if with a case : encase
2. : to line (as a well) with supporting material (as metal pipe)
3. : to inspect or study especially with intent to rob