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| case [ kayss ] |
noun (plural cas·es) |
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| Definition: |
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1. situation: a situation or set of circumstances
  I don't think the usual rules apply in this case.
Sometimes anxiety causes weight loss, but that's not the case here.
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2. instance: an instance or example of something
This seems to be a case of mistaken identity.
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3. something examined or investigated: a subject of investigation or scrutiny by a professional person such as a doctor or police officer
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4. actual fact: the reality or truth of a particular situation
The case is that the witness has lied under oath.
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5. issue: a matter in question or a problem
The case here is simply a matter of excessive expenditures, isn't it?
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6. law something examined in law court: a matter examined or judged in a court of law
It'll be some weeks before your case comes to trial.
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7. law arguments: a set of arguments and evidence supporting a legal claim in court
He presented his case calmly and with skill.
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8. argument for or against: an argument for or against something
You can make a good case for holding a referendum.
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9. grammar form of word showing role in sentence: a form of a noun, pronoun, or adjective that indicates its syntactic relation to surrounding words
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10. type of person: somebody of a particular type or in a particular condition, especially an unfortunate one
(
informal
)
He's a hopeless case.
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11. odd person: an odd or eccentric person
(
informal
)
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transitive verb (past and past participle cased, present participle cas·ing, 3rd person present singular cas·es) |
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| Definition: |
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inspect place: to assess or survey a place with a view to robbing it
(
slang
)
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| [13th century. Via Old French cas "event" < Latin casus< cadere "to fall"] |
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a case in point a relevant example
A case in point is the steady drop in unit sales.
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be on somebody's case to persist in pestering somebody to do something (slang)
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get off somebody's case to stop pestering somebody to do something (slang)
Get off my case! I'll finish mowing the lawn later.
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in any case
1. no matter what may happen
Come over if you want, I'll be home in any case.
2. used to support a point that has just been mentioned
Maybe he just got bored. In any case, he left rather early.
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in case of something if something happens
In case of fire, leave by the nearest exit.
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(just) in case
1. in preparation for an event that may possibly happen
Take your umbrella, just in case.
2. used to introduce a piece of information and explain the reason for giving it
In case you're unaware of the fact, this is a nonsmoking area.
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