case

I. 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 cases

> 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 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; casing) 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