case
1 of 3noun (1)
ˈkās 
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
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
case
2 of 3noun (2)
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
case
3 of 3verb
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
Synonyms
Noun (1)
- armor
- capsule
- casing
- cocoon
- cover
- covering
- encasement
- housing
- hull
- husk
- jacket
- pod
- sheath
- shell
Noun (2)
- patient
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
Middle English cas, from Anglo-French, from Latin casus fall, chance, from cadere to fall — more at chance
Noun (2)
Middle English cas, from Anglo-French case, chase, from Latin capsa chest, case, probably from capere to take — more at heave entry 1
First Known Use
Noun (1)
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a
Noun (2)
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
circa 1525, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing case
Kids Definition
case 1 of 2
noun
ˈkās
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
case
2 of 2noun
1
: a container (as a box) for holding something
2
: a box and its contents
a case of books
3
: an outer covering
Medical Definition
case
noun
ˈkās
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 sense 1
Legal Definition
case 1 of 2
noun
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 U.S. Constitution art. III — 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
: 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.
: 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
case
2 of 2transitive verb
cased; casing
: to inspect or study with intent to rob
casing a store
cases 1 of 3
noun (1)
1
as in casings
something that encloses another thing especially to protect it those binoculars come with their own case Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- casings
- sheaths
- coverings
- covers
- housings
- shells
- jackets
- packages
- hulls
- capsules
- coatings
- armors
- plates
- shields
- pods
- cartridges
- encasements
- cocoons
- wrappers
- houses
- husks
- platings
- mails
- cassettes
- crusts
- envelopes
- skins
- carapaces
- casettes
- hides
- backings
- barks
- facings
- covertures
- cuticles
- panoplies
2
as in bins
a covered rectangular container for storing or transporting things a handy little cosmetics case that matches the rest of her luggage Synonyms & Similar Words
- bins
- boxes
- lockers
- trunks
- chests
- crates
- caskets
- caddies
- compartments
- cartons
- coffins
- vaults
- footlockers
- safes
- strongboxes
- lockboxes
- coffers
- jewel boxes
- safe-deposit boxes
- hatboxes
- caissons
- snuffboxes
- bandboxes
- sea chests
- hope chests
- canteens
- minaudières
- tinderboxes
cases
2 of 3noun (2)
1
as in patients
an individual awaiting or under medical care and treatment her doctor wishes that all of his cases were as cooperative as she is Synonyms & Similar Words
- patients
- sufferers
- inpatients
- outpatients
- victims
- rehabilitants
- convalescents
- nurslings
2
as in examples
one of a group or collection that shows what the whole is like this is a perfect case of people jumping to the wrong conclusion before all the facts are known Synonyms & Similar Words
- examples
- instances
- samples
- specimens
- illustrations
- indications
- prototypes
- exemplifications
- cases in point
- representatives
- exemplars
- manifestations
- paradigms
- evidences
- cross sections
- archetypes
- signs
- classics
- microcosms
- loci classici
3
as in facts
something that actually exists this has never been the case before Synonyms & Similar Words
- facts
- things
- occurrences
- elements
- items
- realities
- actualities
- events
- circumstances
- phenomena
- certainties
- materialities
- inevitabilities
- phenomenons
- particulars
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- possibilities
- fictions
- probabilities
- fantasies
- illusions
- potentialities
- phantasies
- eventualities
4
as in reasons
a statement given to explain a belief or act you'll get a chance to make your case, but unless you're very convincing, your request will be denied Synonyms & Similar Words
- reasons
- explanations
- arguments
- accountings
- accounts
- justifications
- rationales
- apologies
- excuses
- appeals
- vindications
- defenses
- alibis
- pretexts
- pleas
- rationalizations
- apologiae
- apologias
- guises
- pretenses
- pretences
5
as in bouts
a sudden experiencing of a physical or mental disorder a young boy suffering from a case of chicken pox Synonyms & Similar Words
- bouts
- seizures
- attacks
- spells
- recurrences
- fits
- sieges
- relapses
- accesses
- breakdowns
- turns
- convulsions
- pangs
- spasms
- agitations
- paroxysms
- throes
- frenzies
- collapses
- brainstorms
- prostrations
- eclampsias
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- arrests
- reliefs
- remissions
6
as in possibilities
something that might happen it may be the case that the cause of the fire will forever remain a mystery Synonyms & Similar Words
- possibilities
- events
- contingencies
- contingences
- probabilities
- eventualities
- accidents
- contingents
- risks
- hazards
- chances
- haps
7
as in problems
something that requires thought and skill for resolution that's a tough case to solve Synonyms & Similar Words
- problems
- challenges
- matters
- issues
- questions
- troubles
- nuts
- predicaments
- dilemmas
- knots
- hot waters
- mysteries
- corners
- conundrums
- quandaries
- puzzles
- pitfalls
- jams
- spots
- fixes
- snags
- riddles
- pickles
- quagmires
- glitches
- toughies
- enigmas
- puzzlements
- catch-22s
- holes
- sticky wickets
- mires
- stumpers
- hitches
- cruxes
- catches
- posers
- brainteasers
- Gordian knots
- cruces
- catch-22's
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- solutions
- answers
- silver bullets
- magic bullets
- panaceas
- cure-alls
cases
3 of 3verb
as in houses
Synonyms & Similar Words
- houses
- encompasses
- shelters
- fits
- encases
- encloses
- lodges
- incloses
- accommodates
- harbors
- takes
- contains
- holds
- boasts
- bears