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
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
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
7
: oneself considered as an object of harassment or criticism
get off my case
1
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
cased; casing
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share