From Middle English cas, from Old French cas (“an event”), from Latin cāsus (“a falling, a fall; accident, event, occurrence; occasion, opportunity; noun case”), perfect passive participle of cadō (“to fall, to drop”).
Meanings
An actual event, situation, or fact.
Since the launch early last year of […] two Silicon Valley start-ups offering free education through MOOCs, massive open online courses, the ivory towers of academia have been shaken to their foundations. University brands built in some cases over centuries have been forced to contemplate the possibility that information technology will rapidly make their existing business model obsolete. 2013 July 20, “The attack of the MOOCs”, in The Economist, volume 408, number 8845:
It is not the case that every unfamiliar phrase is an idiom.
For a change, in this case, he was telling the truth.
In case of fire, break glass. [sign on fire extinguisher holder in public space]
Conditioning would require exposition to any sentence before being uttered, which isn’t the case.
(archaic) A given condition or state.
Ne wist he how to turne, nor to what place: / Was never wretched man in such a wofull cace. 1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book III, Canto X”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC:
Mares which are over-fat, hold with much difficulty; whereas those that are but in good case and plump, conceive with the greatest readiness and ease. 1726, Nathan Bailey, John Worlidge, Dictionarium Rusticum, Urbanicum & Botanicum:
Thus vvhilſt he hopt he hild her leaſt, ſo altereth the cace / VVith ſuch as ſhe, Ah ſuch it is to build on ſuch a face. 1586, William Warner, “The Fourth Booke. Chapter XXXVI.”, in Albions England. Or Historicall Map of the Same Island: […], London: […] George Robinson [and R. Ward] for Thomas Cadman, […], →OCLC, page 174:
A specific matter or piece of work, specifically defined within a profession, usually in respect of a specific person and/or event; the set of tasks involved in addressing one such matter.
We drove back to the office with some concern on my part at the prospect of so large a case. Sunning himself on the board steps, I saw for the first time Mr. Farquhar Fenelon Cooke. 1897 December (indicated as 1898), Winston Churchill, chapter II, in The Celebrity: An Episode, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd., →OCLC:
The doctor told us of an interesting case he had treated that morning.
Social workers should work on a maximum of forty active cases.
The case was that of a murder. It had an element of mystery about it, however, which was puzzling the authorities. A turban and loincloth soaked in blood had been found; also a staff. These properties were known to have belonged to a toddy drawer. He had disappeared. 1927, F. E. Penny, chapter 4, in Pulling the Strings:
It was one of the detective's easiest cases.
An instance or event as a topic of study.
The teaching consists of theory lessons and case studies.
He draws eclectically on studies of baboons, descriptive anthropological accounts of hunter-gatherer societies and, in a few cases, the fossil record. 2012 March-April, John T. Jost, “Social Justice: Is It in Our Nature (and Our Future)?”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 2, page 162:
A legal proceeding; a lawsuit or prosecution.
“Two or three months more went by ; the public were eagerly awaiting the arrival of this semi-exotic claimant to an English peerage, and sensations, surpassing those of the Tichbourne case, were looked forward to with palpitating interest. […]” 1904–1905, Baroness Orczy [i.e., Emma Orczy], “The Tremarn Case”, in The Case of Miss Elliott, London: T[homas] Fisher Unwin, published 1905, →OCLC; republished as popular edition, London: Greening & Co., 1909, OCLC 11192831, quoted in The Case of Miss Elliott (ebook no. 2000141h.html), Australia: Project Gutenberg of Australia, February 2020:
As the conflict has dragged on, prosecutors in Ukraine are now pursuing 247 cases of environmental war crimes against Russia in Ukrainian courts and the International Criminal Court, according to reporting published in April by the New York Times. 2025 November 20, Simmone Shah, “Ukraine to Claim $44bn in Climate Damages From Russia. Why War Is So Bad For Emissions”, in TIME, archived from the original on 08 Dec 2025:
A specific inflection of a word (particularly a noun, pronoun, or adjective) depending on its function in the sentence.
Latin has six cases, and remnants of a seventh.
The accusative case most commonly indicates a direct object.
Now, the Subject of either an indicative or a subjunctive Clause is always assigned Nominative case, as we see from:
(16) (a) I know [that they/*them/*their leave for Hawaii tomorrow]
(16) (b) I demand [that they/*them/*their leave for Hawaii tomorrow]
By contrast, the Subject of an infinitive Clause is assigned Objective case, as we see from:
(17) I want [them/*they/*their to leave for Hawaii tomorrow]
And the Subject of a gerund Clause is assigned either Objective or Genitive case: cf.
(18) I don't like the idea of [them/their/*they leaving for Hawaii tomorrow] 1988, Andrew Radford, chapter 6, in Transformational grammar: a first course, Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, page 292:
(uncountable) Grammatical cases and their meanings taken either as a topic in general or within a specific language.
Jane has been studying case in Caucasian languages.
Latin is a language that employs case.
An instance of a specific condition or set of symptoms.
We turn next to the puzzle of borderlineness: If Harry is intermediate between clear cases and clear noncases of baldness, “Is Harry bald?” seems to have no good, direct, answer. 2013, Gillian Russell, Delia Graff Fara, Routledge Companion to Philosophy of Language, page 144:
There were another five cases reported overnight.
A section of code representing one of the actions of a conditional switch.
Execution does not automatically stop at the next case. 2011, Stephen Prata, C++ Primer Plus, page 275:
Place a break statement at the end of every case to prevent case fall-through. 2004, Rick Miller, C++ for Artists:
(archaic) A love affair.
I thought it only an amourette when you told me. It was a fire — a conflagration; subdue it. I saw it was a case, and I advised you to try — dissipation. 1876, The New York Drama, volumes 1-2, page 1:
Poor fellow, just as I thought! It's a case with him, anybody can see that. He is thinking about Christine, for a certainty. Lovers always take to stargazing and moonlight dreaming — it's part of their complaint. 1867, The Young Ladies' Journal, page 467:
mn хэрэг (law: lawsuit) · ar حَالَات (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · ru де́ло (actual event, situation, or fact) · vi trường hợp (medicine: instance of a specific condition or set of symptoms) · cmn 事件 (actual event, situation, or fact) · de Argument (actual event, situation, or fact) · mg tranga (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · cmn 案件 (law: lawsuit) · el περίπτωση (actual event, situation, or fact) · fi oikeustapaus (law: lawsuit) · bn ক্রিয়া (actual event, situation, or fact) · fa کیس (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · de Fall (medicine: instance of a specific condition or set of symptoms) · ga cás (medicine: instance of a specific condition or set of symptoms) · de Rechtssache (law: lawsuit) · nb tilfelle (actual event, situation, or fact) · vi trường hợp (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · mk процес (law: lawsuit) · ga cás (law: lawsuit) · uk ви́падок (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · he מקרה (actual event, situation, or fact) · eo okazfrazo (programming: section of code) · el περίσταση (actual event, situation, or fact) · ar عُلْبَة (piece of work) · he מקרה (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · cy achos (actual event, situation, or fact) · fa مورد (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · bg слу́чай (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · it caso (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · sk prípad (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · he תיק (law: lawsuit) · pl wypadek (actual event, situation, or fact) · be спра́ва (actual event, situation, or fact) · tl kaso (law: lawsuit) · tr hâl (grammar: grammatical case) · lad kavzo (actual event, situation, or fact) · nl proces (law: lawsuit) · gl caso (medicine: instance of a specific condition or set of symptoms) · eo afero (law: lawsuit) · pl sprawa (law: lawsuit) · fi tapaus (piece of work) · te దావా (law: lawsuit) · cs případ (medicine: instance of a specific condition or set of symptoms) · es causa (law: lawsuit) · hy դատական գործ (law: lawsuit) · gl caso (piece of work) · ru кейс (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · ja 症例 (medicine: instance of a specific condition or set of symptoms) · ja 場合 (actual event, situation, or fact) · ga cás (actual event, situation, or fact) · el υπόθεση (piece of work) · pt caso (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · mk судско дело (law: lawsuit) · cy achos (medicine: instance of a specific condition or set of symptoms) · mn хэрэг (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · fr cause (law: lawsuit) · fr cas (piece of work) · ar دَعْوَى (law: lawsuit) · fr cas (actual event, situation, or fact) · pt caso (medicine: instance of a specific condition or set of symptoms) · sh slȕčāj (law: lawsuit) · ba осраҡ (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · nl geval (actual event, situation, or fact) · pl przypadek (programming: section of code) · de Beispiel (actual event, situation, or fact) · ko 경우 (actual event, situation, or fact) · ja 例 (actual event, situation, or fact) · cmn 事件 (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · mn хэрэг (actual event, situation, or fact) · sl primer (medicine: instance of a specific condition or set of symptoms) · ko 사건 (actual event, situation, or fact) · nl rechtszaak (law: lawsuit) · sh slȕčāj (actual event, situation, or fact) · hu ügy (law: lawsuit) · de Prozess (law: lawsuit) · ja 事例 (actual event, situation, or fact) · vi ca (medicine: instance of a specific condition or set of symptoms) · it caso (piece of work) · nrf cause (law: lawsuit) · cs případ (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · ht ka (actual event, situation, or fact) · mwl causo (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · el κρούσμα (medicine: instance of a specific condition or set of symptoms) · ru слу́чай (medicine: instance of a specific condition or set of symptoms) · ro caz (actual event, situation, or fact) · sh слу̏ча̄ј (law: lawsuit) · es caso (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · sl primer (law: lawsuit) · cs případ (actual event, situation, or fact) · ja 事件 (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · pl przypadek (medicine: instance of a specific condition or set of symptoms) · de Fall (law: lawsuit) · sv case (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · cs případ (law: lawsuit) · tr durum (actual event, situation, or fact) · cs kauza (law: lawsuit) · de Fall (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · el περίπτωση (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · de Punkt (actual event, situation, or fact) · ba ваҡиға (actual event, situation, or fact) · fr cas (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · uk спра́ва (piece of work) · sw kesi (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · bg процес (law: lawsuit) · ba осраҡ (actual event, situation, or fact) · da tilfælde (actual event, situation, or fact) · ru проце́сс (law: lawsuit) · ka შემთხვევა (actual event, situation, or fact) · la causa (law: lawsuit) · sv fall (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · es argumento (law: lawsuit) · ar قَضِيَّة (actual event, situation, or fact) · tr dava (law: lawsuit) · nl geval (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · ca cas (actual event, situation, or fact) · pl proces (law: lawsuit) · de Fall (piece of work) · sl primer (actual event, situation, or fact) · sl primer (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · ru слу́чай (actual event, situation, or fact) · ru слу́чай (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · sv fall (law: lawsuit) · pl dzieło (piece of work) · uk спра́ва (actual event, situation, or fact) · it causa (law: lawsuit) · es pleito (law: lawsuit) · de Fall (grammar: grammatical case) · la cāsus (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · be вы́падак (actual event, situation, or fact) · sk prípad (actual event, situation, or fact) · gl caso (law: lawsuit) · fi tapaus (actual event, situation, or fact) · mk случај (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · bg слу́чай (actual event, situation, or fact) · ms kes (law: lawsuit) · de Kasus (grammar: grammatical case) · de Fall (actual event, situation, or fact) · be вы́падак (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · ja 事件 (actual event, situation, or fact) · pt caso (piece of work) · eo okazo ordona (programming: section of code) · eo afero (actual event, situation, or fact) · ga cás (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · bn ক্রিয়াক্ষেত্র (actual event, situation, or fact) · eo juĝafero (law: lawsuit) · ka კაზუსი (law: lawsuit) · sh слу̏ча̄ј (actual event, situation, or fact) · vi trường hợp (actual event, situation, or fact) · be спра́ва (piece of work) · fi tapaus (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · it caso (law: lawsuit) · el περιστατικό (piece of work) · mk случај (actual event, situation, or fact) · sv fall (actual event, situation, or fact) · ht ka (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · el υπόθεση (law: lawsuit) · te కేసు (law: lawsuit) · sh slȕčāj (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · bn ক্ষেত্র (actual event, situation, or fact) · gl caso (actual event, situation, or fact) · bg де́ло (actual event, situation, or fact) · tr vaka (medicine: instance of a specific condition or set of symptoms) · is tilfelli (medicine: instance of a specific condition or set of symptoms) · mg zava-nitranga (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · gl caso (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · hu eset (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · fi case (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · pl przypadek (actual event, situation, or fact) · el περιστατικό (medicine: instance of a specific condition or set of symptoms) · vi vụ kiện (law: lawsuit) · eo kazo (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · it caso (medicine: instance of a specific condition or set of symptoms) · el πτώση (grammar: grammatical case) · ca cas (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · bg дело (law: lawsuit) · es caso (actual event, situation, or fact) · sk prípad (piece of work) · oc cas (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · hy դեպք (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · sw kesi (law: lawsuit) · sh слу̏ча̄ј (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · pt caso (law: lawsuit) · fr cas (medicine: instance of a specific condition or set of symptoms) · ru де́ло (piece of work) · gl causa (law: lawsuit) · mk случај (law: lawsuit) · sl primer (piece of work) · ca causa (law: lawsuit) · ka საქმე (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · pt caso (actual event, situation, or fact) · ko 경우 (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · fi tapaus (medicine: instance of a specific condition or set of symptoms) · hu eset (actual event, situation, or fact) · cy achos (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · ka საქმე (law: lawsuit) · ru де́ло (law: lawsuit) · pl przypadek (grammar: grammatical case) · pt causa (law: lawsuit) · pl postępowanie (law: lawsuit) · ru суде́бное де́ло (law: lawsuit) · ga cás (piece of work) · sk prípad (medicine: instance of a specific condition or set of symptoms) · de Sache (actual event, situation, or fact) · km ករណី (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · pl wypadek (academia: instance or event as a topic of study) · it caso (actual event, situation, or fact) · eo kazo (medicine: instance of a specific condition or set of symptoms) · uk ви́падок (actual event, situation, or fact) · sl zadeva (law: lawsuit)
From Middle English cas, from Old French cas (“an event”), from Latin cāsus (“a falling, a fall; accident, event, occurrence; occasion, opportunity; noun case”), perfect passive participle of cadō (“to fall, to drop”).
Meanings
(intransitive, obsolete) To propose hypothetical cases.
Casing upon the Matter. 1692, Roger L’Estrange, “ (please specify the fable number.) (please specify the name of the fable.)”, in Fables, of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists: […], London: […] R[ichard] Sare, […], →OCLC:
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.
Meanings
(not-comparable, slang) The last remaining card of a particular rank.
He drew the case eight!
If he did have a bigger ace, I still had at least six outs — the case ace, two nines, and three tens. I could also have more outs if he held anything less than A-K. 2006, David Apostolico, Lessons from the Professional Poker Tour, page 21:
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.
Meanings
A box that contains or can contain a number of identical items of manufacture or commerce.
When the ship reached Melbourne two days later we collared a couple of cases of apples from the hold and hid them in our bunks. 1933, Frank Clune, Try Anything Once, Sydney: Angus and Robertson, page 94:
A box, sheath, or covering generally.
a case for spectacles; the case of a watch
A piece of luggage that can be used to transport an apparatus such as a sewing machine.
An enclosing frame or casing.
a door case; a window case
A suitcase.
A piece of furniture, constructed partially of transparent glass or plastic, within which items can be displayed.
The outer covering or framework of a piece of apparatus such as a computer.
(historical) A shallow tray divided into compartments or “boxes” for holding type, traditionally arranged in sets of two, the “upper case” (containing capitals, small capitals, accented) and "lower case" (small letters, figures, punctuation marks, quadrats, and spaces).
(broadly) The nature of a piece of alphabetic type, whether a “capital” (upper case) or “small” (lower case) letter.
(slang) Four of a kind.
(US) A unit of liquid measure used to measure sales in the beverage industry, equivalent to 192 fluid ounces.
A small fissure which admits water into the workings.
A thin layer of harder metal on the surface of an object whose deeper metal is allowed to remain soft.
A cardboard box that holds (usually 24) beer bottles or cans.
a single case of Bud Light
(UK, obsolete, slang) A counterfeit crown (five-shilling coin).
The price of a case (five shillings piece bad) from the smasher is about one shilling; an alderman (two and sixpence) about sixpence; a peg (shilling) about threepence; a downer or sprat (sixpence) about twopence. 1859, Snowden's magistrates assistant, page 90:
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cases
Number=Plur
lexicographic
Deriveds
case badge (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · case knife (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · jewel case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · road case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · closet case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · crankcase (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · cartridge case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · casal (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · casemaking (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · slipcase (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · titlecase (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · case fan (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · egg case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · braincase (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · meatcase (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · case picking (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · overnight case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · business case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · case independent (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · watchcase (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · phone case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · seedcase (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · vanity case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · letter case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · case harden (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · typecase (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · downcase (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · sentence case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · sadcase (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · caseworm (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · gear case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · cardcase (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · case head (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · podcase (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · case hardening (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · pincase (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · case folding (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · casebearer (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · case-shot (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · longcase (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · snake case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · showcase (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · casing (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · casebearing (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · caseful (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · dash case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · pipecase (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · topcase (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · briefcase (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · cicada case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · display case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · uniform case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · case fraction (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · corner case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · flightcase (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · casekeeper (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · spore case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · bookcase (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · Pascal case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · glass case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · unicase (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · caseharden (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · Wardian case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · attaché case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · case hardened (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · charging case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · staircase (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · capcase (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · kebab case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · paper case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · spectacle case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · doorcase (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · packing case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · case-independent (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · notecase (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · title case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · tall-case clock (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · clockcase (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · caselike (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · chain case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · needlecase (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · dressing case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · camel case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · traycase (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · trotter case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · caseless (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · pencil case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · casemaker (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · traps case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · case insensitive (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · case sensitive (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · burial case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · pillow case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · toolcase (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · alternating case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · trophy case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · case clock (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · day case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · chaincase (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · cigarette case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · encase (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · headcase (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · suitcase (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · basket case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · pencase (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · lower case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · upper case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · pillowcase (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · grip case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · wingcase (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · discase (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · incase (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · dispatch case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · casebound (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · uppercase (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · patty case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2)) · slip case (Terms derived from case (noun, etymology 2))
nl hulsel (sheath, covering) · sh ко̀фер (suitcase) · sl ohišje (outer covering or framework of a piece of apparatus) · vi hòm (suitcase) · mk сандак (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · ru набо́рная ка́сса (typography: the nature of a piece of alphabetic type) · pl kuferek (suitcase) · cmn 箱 (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · fr malle (suitcase) · pl skrzynia (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · ko 상자 (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · es estuche (sheath, covering) · pl osłonka (sheath, covering) · pl witryna (piece of furniture, constructed partially of transparent glass or plastic) · sh га̑јба (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · fi vitriini (piece of furniture, constructed partially of transparent glass or plastic) · be скры́ня (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · it intelaiatura (outer covering or framework of a piece of apparatus) · sv lår (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · bg калъф (piece of luggage that can be used to transport an apparatus) · it cassa (piece of luggage that can be used to transport an apparatus) · ru кофр (piece of luggage that can be used to transport an apparatus) · io kofro (piece of luggage that can be used to transport an apparatus) · sv hölje (sheath, covering) · fi pakkaus (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · ja ケース (suitcase) · gl estoxo (sheath, covering) · es caja (piece of luggage that can be used to transport an apparatus) · cmn 手提箱 (suitcase) · pl otulina (sheath, covering) · la capsa (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · it custodia (outer covering or framework of a piece of apparatus) · ru чемода́н (suitcase) · ga cás (typography: the nature of a piece of alphabetic type) · sk skrinka (outer covering or framework of a piece of apparatus) · ja スーツケース (suitcase) · cs bedna (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · pl walizka (piece of luggage that can be used to transport an apparatus) · no kiste (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · es valija (suitcase) · es vitrina (piece of furniture, constructed partially of transparent glass or plastic) · fi laukku (piece of luggage that can be used to transport an apparatus) · bg кожух (outer covering or framework of a piece of apparatus) · sk puzdro (sheath, covering) · fi kotelo (sheath, covering) · pl serwantka (piece of furniture, constructed partially of transparent glass or plastic) · pt caixa (outer covering or framework of a piece of apparatus) · pl etui (sheath, covering) · grc ἔλυτρον (sheath, covering) · sl kovček (piece of luggage that can be used to transport an apparatus) · it cabinet (outer covering or framework of a piece of apparatus) · el βαλίτσα (suitcase) · es caja (typography: the nature of a piece of alphabetic type) · ca caixa (typography: the nature of a piece of alphabetic type) · hu láda (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · fi kotelo (piece of luggage that can be used to transport an apparatus) · vi hộp (outer covering or framework of a piece of apparatus) · nl uitstalraam (piece of furniture, constructed partially of transparent glass or plastic) · sv monter (piece of furniture, constructed partially of transparent glass or plastic) · sk kufrík (suitcase) · ga cás (pack of (24) bottles or cans) · hy պատյան (outer covering or framework of a piece of apparatus) · de Schriftkasten (typography: the nature of a piece of alphabetic type) · pt caixa (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · es carcasa (outer covering or framework of a piece of apparatus) · el αποσκευές (suitcase) · eo vitrino (piece of furniture, constructed partially of transparent glass or plastic) · sl vitrina (piece of furniture, constructed partially of transparent glass or plastic) · gl caixa (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · pl walizka (suitcase) · fi kirjainkoko (typography: the nature of a piece of alphabetic type) · pl futerał (sheath, covering) · fi laukku (suitcase) · ca caixa (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · io vetrino (piece of furniture, constructed partially of transparent glass or plastic) · da kasse (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · sv huv (outer covering or framework of a piece of apparatus) · es ademe (an enclosing frame or casing) · sv låda (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · pt mostruário (piece of furniture, constructed partially of transparent glass or plastic) · it contenitore (outer covering or framework of a piece of apparatus) · de Koffer (piece of luggage that can be used to transport an apparatus) · el θήκη (sheath, covering) · sv apparathölje (outer covering or framework of a piece of apparatus) · nl tas (piece of luggage that can be used to transport an apparatus) · fi matkalaukku (suitcase) · hy դուրճ (typography: the nature of a piece of alphabetic type) · pl obudowa (an enclosing frame or casing) · bg кашон (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · hy ճամպրուկ (suitcase) · cs vitrina (piece of furniture, constructed partially of transparent glass or plastic) · fi kuori (outer covering or framework of a piece of apparatus) · pl obudowa (outer covering or framework of a piece of apparatus) · ccc kaja (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · fr vitrine (piece of furniture, constructed partially of transparent glass or plastic) · eo uskleco (typography: the nature of a piece of alphabetic type) · sh ку̏ћӣште (outer covering or framework of a piece of apparatus) · sv kåpa (outer covering or framework of a piece of apparatus) · de Behälter (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · pl pokrowiec (sheath, covering) · sv låda (piece of luggage that can be used to transport an apparatus) · sk debna (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · sh gȃjba (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · ga cás (piece of luggage that can be used to transport an apparatus) · sv hus (outer covering or framework of a piece of apparatus) · nl omhulsel (outer covering or framework of a piece of apparatus) · es caja ((printing, historical) a shallow tray divided into compartments or "boxes" for holding type) · pl wielkość liter (typography: the nature of a piece of alphabetic type) · el κιβώτιο (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · bg сандъ́к (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · ru коро́бка (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · hu tok (sheath, covering) · hy արկղ (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · de Hülle (sheath, covering) · uk скри́ня (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · ru я́щик (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · sh са̀ндук (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · sl zaboj (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · pl neseser (suitcase) · pt maleta (suitcase) · it baule (piece of luggage that can be used to transport an apparatus) · ro ladă (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · ja 箱 (outer covering or framework of a piece of apparatus) · de Vitrine (piece of furniture, constructed partially of transparent glass or plastic) · ca caixa (outer covering or framework of a piece of apparatus) · es maleta (piece of luggage that can be used to transport an apparatus) · sk vitrína (piece of furniture, constructed partially of transparent glass or plastic) · it vetrinetta (piece of furniture, constructed partially of transparent glass or plastic) · el προθήκη (piece of furniture, constructed partially of transparent glass or plastic) · ru футля́р (sheath, covering) · ar عُلَب (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · mi tohupū (typography: the nature of a piece of alphabetic type) · es caja (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · es caja (outer covering or framework of a piece of apparatus) · sh kȕćīšte (outer covering or framework of a piece of apparatus) · mk гајба (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · el κάσα (outer covering or framework of a piece of apparatus) · fr casse (typography: the nature of a piece of alphabetic type) · pt caixa (piece of luggage that can be used to transport an apparatus) · sl kovček (suitcase) · es maleta (suitcase) · ca vitrina (piece of furniture, constructed partially of transparent glass or plastic) · sk kufor (suitcase) · mk витри́на (piece of furniture, constructed partially of transparent glass or plastic) · no hylster (sheath, covering) · el περίβλημα (outer covering or framework of a piece of apparatus) · it involucro (outer covering or framework of a piece of apparatus) · grc θήκη (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · sv skal (outer covering or framework of a piece of apparatus) · ga cás (sheath, covering) · fi aakkoslaji (typography: the nature of a piece of alphabetic type) · ca maleta (piece of luggage that can be used to transport an apparatus) · pl kaszta ((printing, historical) a shallow tray divided into compartments or "boxes" for holding type) · ru футля́р (outer covering or framework of a piece of apparatus) · sv resväska (suitcase) · pt valisa (suitcase) · ja 箱 (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · it copertura (sheath, covering) · hy արկղ (piece of luggage that can be used to transport an apparatus) · it valigia (suitcase) · gl funda (piece of luggage that can be used to transport an apparatus) · fi kotelo (outer covering or framework of a piece of apparatus) · pt valise (suitcase) · de Koffer (suitcase) · mk чанта (suitcase) · cmn 箱子 (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · vi rương (suitcase) · he מזוודה (suitcase) · sk puzdro (piece of luggage that can be used to transport an apparatus) · ru я́щик (piece of luggage that can be used to transport an apparatus) · io etuyo (sheath, covering) · ru диплома́т (suitcase) · bg куфар (suitcase) · ru набо́рная ка́сса ((printing, historical) a shallow tray divided into compartments or "boxes" for holding type) · el βιτρίνα (piece of furniture, constructed partially of transparent glass or plastic) · io kofro (suitcase) · bg кутия (sheath, covering) · be куфэрак (suitcase) · ga cás (suitcase) · cmn 盒子 (outer covering or framework of a piece of apparatus) · da hylster (sheath, covering) · fr écrin (piece of luggage that can be used to transport an apparatus) · ru ко́жух (outer covering or framework of a piece of apparatus) · eo ŝranko (piece of furniture, constructed partially of transparent glass or plastic) · el πλαίσιο (outer covering or framework of a piece of apparatus) · pt mala (suitcase) · hy դուրճ ((printing, historical) a shallow tray divided into compartments or "boxes" for holding type) · sh sànduk (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · nl kist (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · sk skriňa (outer covering or framework of a piece of apparatus) · ru витри́на (piece of furniture, constructed partially of transparent glass or plastic) · pl dyplomatka (suitcase) · eo ingo (sheath, covering) · ca maleta (suitcase) · ca caixa (piece of luggage that can be used to transport an apparatus) · bg витри́на (piece of furniture, constructed partially of transparent glass or plastic) · pt caixa (typography: the nature of a piece of alphabetic type) · it rivestimento (sheath, covering) · nl vitrine (piece of furniture, constructed partially of transparent glass or plastic) · eo usklo (typography: the nature of a piece of alphabetic type) · de Gehäuse (outer covering or framework of a piece of apparatus) · sh kòfer (suitcase) · grc κέλυφος (sheath, covering) · ru кейс (suitcase) · de Kasten (piece of luggage that can be used to transport an apparatus) · pl dwudziestoczteropak (pack of (24) bottles or cans) · sv vitrinskåp (piece of furniture, constructed partially of transparent glass or plastic) · ja 旅行鞄 (suitcase) · io etuyo (piece of luggage that can be used to transport an apparatus) · cs pouzdro (piece of luggage that can be used to transport an apparatus) · de Kiste (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · ca capsa (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · mk ку́тија (piece of luggage that can be used to transport an apparatus) · ota قوطی (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · fi aakkoskoko (typography: the nature of a piece of alphabetic type) · nl valies (suitcase) · ru кейс (piece of luggage that can be used to transport an apparatus) · cmn 匣子 (outer covering or framework of a piece of apparatus) · it cassetta (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · sv hölje (outer covering or framework of a piece of apparatus) · sv flak (pack of (24) bottles or cans) · nl kast (typography: the nature of a piece of alphabetic type) · ga cás (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · fr caisse (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · pl rama (an enclosing frame or casing) · sv box (piece of luggage that can be used to transport an apparatus) · grc θήκη (sheath, covering) · pl gablota (piece of furniture, constructed partially of transparent glass or plastic) · fr carter (outer covering or framework of a piece of apparatus) · pl pochwa (sheath, covering) · sl gajba (box containing a number of identical items of manufacture) · ja 筐体 (outer covering or framework of a piece of apparatus) · pt vitrine (piece of furniture, constructed partially of transparent glass or plastic) · hu ház (outer covering or framework of a piece of apparatus) · mk ку́фер (piece of luggage that can be used to transport an apparatus)
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.
Meanings
(transitive) To place (an item or items of manufacture) into a box, as in preparation for shipment.
(transitive) To cover or protect with, or as if with, a case; to enclose.
The man who, cased in steel, had passed whole days and nights in the saddle. 1855–1858, William H[ickling] Prescott, History of the Reign of Philip the Second, King of Spain, volume (please specify |volume=I to III), Boston, Mass.: Phillips, Sampson, and Company, →OCLC:
(informal, transitive) To survey (a building or other location) surreptitiously, as in preparation for a robbery.
Sam: Sometimes before I go to a new place, my family takes me there ahead of time to see what it's like. My dad calls it "casing the joint", which is dumb, but it is helpful to know what to expect.
Doug: Hey.
Elsa: Hey.
Doug: It's been a while since we've cased a joint.
Elsa: It has. 2017, Robia Rashid, “I Lost My Poor Meetball” (13:45 from the start), in Joe Kessler, director, Atypical, season 1, episode 7, spoken by Sam, Doug, and Elsa (Keir Gilchrist, Michael Rapaport, and Jennifer Jason Leigh), via Netflix:
You are in the grounds of Brockholes Abbey, a house into which a great deal of valuable property has just been moved. And your job is to case the joint for a break in. 1977, Michael Innes, The Gay Phoenix, →ISBN, page 116:
Bonnie worked as a daycare director. She helped case the FBI office by posing as a college student interested in becoming an FBI agent. 2014, Amy Goodman, From COINTELPRO to Snowden, the FBI Burglars Speak Out After 43 Years of Silence (Part 2), Democracy Now!, January 8, 2014, 0:49 to 0:57
pl rozeznawać się (to survey surreptitiously) · hu terepszemlét tart (to survey surreptitiously) · pl rozeznać się (to survey surreptitiously) · hu felmér (to survey surreptitiously) · es fichar (to survey surreptitiously) · pl przeprowadzić rekonesans (to survey surreptitiously) · ru упаковывать (to place into a box) · hu körülkémlel (to survey surreptitiously) · fi pakata (to place into a box) · es estudiar el terreno (to survey surreptitiously) · bg опаковам (to place into a box) · hu szemrevételez (to survey surreptitiously) · ga cásáil (to place into a box) · pl przeprowadzać rekonesans (to survey surreptitiously) · hu felderít (to survey surreptitiously) · ca empaquetar (to place into a box) · pl upakować (to place into a box) · es empaquetar (to place into a box) · pl pakować (to place into a box) · pt encaixotar (to place into a box) · de auskundschaften (to survey surreptitiously) · fi tutkia (to survey surreptitiously) · de einpacken (to place into a box) · de ausbaldowern (to survey surreptitiously)