case

Definitions

1. noun

   A real situation or fact.

   Examples

   • In this case, he was telling the truth.
   • It is not the case that every phrase is an idiom.
2. noun

   A state or condition, in old-fashioned use.

   Examples

   • Never was a man in such a sad case.
   • He did not know how to turn in such a case.
3. noun

   A matter that a professional deals with.

   Examples

   • It was one of the detective's easiest cases.
   • Social workers should handle at most forty cases.
4. noun

   An example used for study.

   Examples

   • The course has theory lessons and case studies.
   • He uses baboons as a case in his study.
5. noun

   A legal matter in court.

   Examples

   • The case went to the high court.
   • Prosecutors are pursuing many cases against the company.
6. noun

   In grammar, the form of a word that shows its job in the sentence.

   Examples

   • The accusative case usually shows a direct object.
   • Latin has six cases.
7. noun

   In grammar, the study of word forms in a language.

   Examples

   • Jane has been studying case in Caucasian languages.
   • Latin is a language that uses case.
8. noun

   An example of an illness.

   Examples

   • Another five cases were reported overnight.
   • The hospital saw ten cases of flu.
   ≠noncase
9. noun

   In programming, one branch of a switch.

   Examples

   • Put a break at the end of every case.
   • The code does not stop at the next case.
10. noun

    In old-fashioned use, a love affair.

    Examples

    • It's a case with him, anybody can see that.
    • I saw it was a case, and I gave you advice.