Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - case

 I. noun  Etymology: Middle English cas, from Anglo-French, from Latin casus fall, chance, from cadere to fall — more at chance  Date: 13th century  1.  a. a set of circumstances or conditions is the statement true in all three ~s  b.  (1) a situation requiring investigation or action (as by the police)  (2) the object of investigation or consideration  2. condition; specifically condition of body or mind  3. Middle English cas, from Anglo-French, from Latin casus, translation of Greek ptosis, literally, fall  a. an inflectional form of a noun, pronoun, or adjective indicating its grammatical relation to other words  b. such a relation whether indicated by inflection or not  4. what actually exists or happens ; fact thought he had failed, but that wasn't the ~  5.  a. a suit or action in law or equity  b.  (1) the evidence supporting a conclusion or judgment  (2) argument; especially a convincing argument makes a good ~ for adopting the proposal  6.  a. an instance of disease or injury a ~ of pneumonia; also patient  b. an instance that directs attention to a situation or exhibits it in action ; example  c. a peculiar person ; character  7. oneself considered as an object of harassment or criticism get off my ~  Synonyms: see instance  II. noun  Etymology: Middle English cas, from Anglo-French ~, chase, from Latin capsa chest, ~, probably from capere to take — more at heave  Date: 14th century  1.  a. a box or receptacle for holding something  b. a box together with its contents  c. set; specifically pair  2.  a. an outer covering or housing a pastry ~  b. a tube into which the components of a round of ammunition are loaded  3. a divided tray for holding printing type  4. the frame of a door or window ; casing  III. transitive verb  (~d; casing)  Date: 1575  1. to enclose in or cover with or as if with a ~ ; en~  2. to line (as a well) with supporting material (as metal pipe)  3. to inspect or study especially with intent to rob