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case

n. · v.
US //ˈkeɪs// UK //kˈeɪs// case
  1. 1 a specific situation (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a particular situation or an example of something happening.

    an instance of a particular situation; an actual event or fact.

    Example

    In some cases, the medicine can cause a mild headache.

    Example

    The researchers documented several cases where the local climate had shifted significantly over a single decade.
  2. 2 a container or box (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a container used to hold or protect something.

    a box, sheath, or covering designed to contain or protect specific items.

    Example

    He kept his glasses in a hard leather case to prevent them from breaking.

    Example

    The delicate instrument was shipped in a reinforced steel case to ensure it survived the transoceanic journey.
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  1. 3 a suitcase (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a bag or suitcase used for carrying clothes when you travel.

    a piece of luggage, typically rectangular, used for transporting personal belongings.

    Example

    She packed her case the night before her flight to London.

    Example

    He struggled to lift the heavy case into the overhead compartment of the train.
  2. 4 law or crime (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Law

    a matter that is being decided by a court or investigated by the police.

    a legal proceeding, lawsuit, or a specific investigation within a professional context.

    Example

    The police are still working on the murder case from last year.

    Example

    The prosecution presented a compelling case, citing forensic evidence that linked the defendant directly to the crime scene.
  3. 5 medical instance (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Medicine

    a person suffering from a particular disease or injury.

    an instance of a disease, injury, or set of symptoms in a specific patient.

    Example

    There have been three new cases of the flu in the village this week.

    Example

    The hospital reported a sudden spike in respiratory cases following the heavy smog in the city centre.
  4. 6 letter type (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    the form of a letter, either a large capital letter or a small letter.

    the orthographic distinction between capital (upper case) and small (lower case) letters.

    Example

    Please write your password in lower case letters only.

    Example

    The designer insisted that the brand name be printed in upper case to ensure maximum visibility on the packaging.

  5. 7 grammar (n.)
    C1 Advanced Academic Technical

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

    a grammatical category that determines the function of a noun or pronoun in a sentence through inflection.

    Example

    In German, the ending of the noun changes depending on the case.

    Example

    The student struggled to master the dative case, which often requires specific prepositional triggers in Latinate languages.
  6. 8 to inspect for a crime (v.)
    C1 Advanced Informal Slang

    to look at a place carefully, usually because you plan to rob it later.

    to survey a building or location surreptitiously in preparation for a criminal act.

    Example

    The thieves spent two days casing the bank before they tried to break in.

    Example

    The detective suspected the gang had been casing the jewellery store for weeks, noting the security guard's shift changes.
  7. 9 to put in a box (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to put things into a box or container.

    to enclose or protect something within a case or to pack items into boxes for shipment.

    Example

    The workers spent the afternoon casing the finished products for delivery.

    Example

    The machinery was carefully cased in wooden crates to prevent moisture damage during the sea voyage.
Idioms13 entries

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