case

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a portable container for carrying several objects

   the musicians left their instrument cases backstage

2. 2
   noun

   bed linen consisting of a cover for a pillow

   The burglar carried the loot in a case.

3. 3
   noun

   (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

4. 4
   noun

   the housing or outer covering of something

   the clock has a walnut case

5. 5
   noun

   the actual state of things

   that was not the case

6. 6
   noun

   a statement of facts and reasons used to support an argument

   I made my case for the implementation of bike lanes.

7. 7
   noun

   a problem requiring investigation

   Perry Mason solved the case of the missing heir

8. 8
   noun

   an occurrence of something

   it was a case of bad judgment

Etymology

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.