case
case /ˈkeɪs/
noun
-
()
An occurrence of something
(
example
, instance
, case
)
an occurrence of something
It was a case of bad judgment
it was a case of bad judgment
Another instance occurred yesterday
another instance occurred yesterday
But there is always the famous example of the Smiths
but there is always the famous example of the Smiths
-
()
A special set of circumstances
(
event
, case
)
a special set of circumstances
In that event, the first possibility is excluded
in that event, the first possibility is excluded
It may rain in which case the picnic will be canceled
it may rain in which case the picnic will be canceled
-
()
(law) a comprehensive term for any proceeding in a court of law whereby an individual seeks a legal remedy
(
causa
, lawsuit
, cause
, case
, suit
)
(law) a comprehensive term for any proceeding in a court of law whereby an individual seeks a legal remedy
The family brought suit against the landlord
the family brought suit against the landlord
-
()
The actual state of things
(
case
)
the actual state of things
That was not the case
that was not the case
-
()
A portable container for carrying several objects
(
case
)
a portable container for carrying several objects
The musicians left their instrument cases backstage
the musicians left their instrument cases backstage
-
()
A person requiring professional services
(
case
)
a person requiring professional services
A typical case was the suburban housewife described by a marriage counselor
a typical case was the suburban housewife described by a marriage counselor
-
()
A statement of facts and reasons used to support an argument
(
case
)
a statement of facts and reasons used to support an argument
He stated his case clearly
he stated his case clearly
-
()
A problem requiring investigation
(
case
)
a problem requiring investigation
Perry Mason solved the case of the missing heir
Perry Mason solved the case of the missing heir
-
()
A person who is subjected to experimental or other observational procedures; someone who is an object of investigation
(
guinea pig
, subject
, case
)
a person who is subjected to experimental or other observational procedures; someone who is an object of investigation
The subjects for this investigation were selected randomly
the subjects for this investigation were selected randomly
The cases that we studied were drawn from two different communities
the cases that we studied were drawn from two different communities
-
()
The quantity contained in a case
(
caseful
, case
)
the quantity contained in a case
-
()
Nouns, pronouns or adjectives (often marked by inflection) related in some way to other words in a sentence
(
grammatical case
, case
)
nouns, pronouns or adjectives (often marked by inflection) related in some way to other words in a sentence
-
A glass container used to store and display items in a shop, museum or home
(
case
, display case
, showcase
, vitrine
)
a glass container used to store and display items in a shop, museum or home
-
Bed linen consisting of a cover for a pillow
(
case
, pillow slip
, pillowcase
, slip
)
bed linen consisting of a cover for a pillow
The burglar carried his loot in a pillowcase
the burglar carried his loot in a pillowcase
-
(printing) the receptacle in which a compositor has his type, which is divided into compartments for the different letters, spaces, or numbers
(
case
, compositor's case
, typesetter's case
)
(printing) the receptacle in which a compositor has his type, which is divided into compartments for the different letters, spaces, or numbers
For English, a compositor will ordinarily have two such cases, the upper case containing the capitals and the lower case containing the small letters
for English, a compositor will ordinarily have two such cases, the upper case containing the capitals and the lower case containing the small letters
-
The enclosing frame around a door or window opening
(
case
, casing
)
the enclosing frame around a door or window opening
The casings had rotted away and had to be replaced
the casings had rotted away and had to be replaced
-
The housing or outer covering of something
(
case
, casing
, shell
)
the housing or outer covering of something
The clock has a walnut case
the clock has a walnut case
-
An enveloping structure or covering enclosing an animal or plant organ or part
(
case
, sheath
)
an enveloping structure or covering enclosing an animal or plant organ or part
-
A specific size and style of type within a type family
(
case
, face
, font
, fount
[British] , typeface
)
a specific size and style of type within a type family
I really like the Arial font for my documents
I really like the Arial font for my documents
-
A person of a specified kind (usually with many eccentricities)
(
case
, eccentric
, character
, type
)
a person of a specified kind (usually with many eccentricities)
A real character
a real character
A strange character
a strange character
A friendly eccentric
a friendly eccentric
The capable type
the capable type
A mental case
a mental case
-
A specific state of mind that is temporary
(
case
)
a specific state of mind that is temporary
A case of the jitters
a case of the jitters
verb
-
()
Look over, usually with the intention to rob
(
case
)
look over, usually with the intention to rob
They men cased the housed
They men cased the housed
-
Enclose in, or as if in, a case
(
case
, incase
, encase
)
enclose in, or as if in, a case
My feet were encased in mud
my feet were encased in mud