case

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A particular situation or example of something happening.

   It was a clear case of bad judgment.

2. 2
   noun

   A container or box for holding or carrying something.

   The musicians left their instrument cases backstage.

3. 3
   noun

   A problem or crime that the police or others investigate.

   The detective finally solved the case.

4. 4
   noun

   A set of facts and reasons used to support an argument.

   She made a strong case for building more bike lanes.

Common collocations

• clear case Adjective + noun
• serious case Adjective + noun
• rare case Adjective + noun
• worst case Adjective + noun
• close a case Verb + noun
• handle a case Verb + noun
• open a case Verb + noun
• solve a case Verb + noun

From Middle English case, from Old Northern French casse (compare Old French chasse (“box, chest, case”)), from Latin capsa (“box, bookcase”), from capiō (“to take, seize, hold”). Doublet of cash, chase, and chasse. Compare Spanish caja, Asturian caxa, Portuguese caixa.

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