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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Case: Meanings, Examples, and Usage Guide (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：situation (case)

case 🔊

/keɪs/

A particular situation or example of something happening.

situation 🔊

➕

/ˌsɪtʃuˈeɪʃən/

A particular occurrence or set of circumstances.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'casus' (fall, chance) via Old French, root 'cad-' meaning 'to fall'.

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine a 'case' as a suitcase: it contains a situation (meaning 1) or legal evidence (meaning 2).

📖 Example

In that case, we should postpone the picnic and wait for the sunny weather. 🔊 In that situation, we should postpone the picnic and wait for the sunny weather.

🔗 Collocations

in that case – given that situation

in any case – regardless of the situation

in case of – if there is (something)

🔄 Synonyms

situation (n.) – A set of circumstances in which one finds oneself.

instance (n.) – An example or single occurrence of something.

circumstance (n.) – A fact or condition connected with an event.

🚫 Antonyms

exception (n.) – A person or thing that does not follow the general rule.

📖 Cultural Story

Latin 'cadere' (to fall) gave 'casus' (something that falls or happens). In medieval English, it evolved to denote a legal dispute (a matter that falls to a judge).

Meaning 2：legal case (case)

case 🔊

/keɪs/

A matter that is investigated or judged in a court of law.

Case meaning legal: detective desk with open case file

legal case 🔊

➕

/ˈliːɡəl keɪs/

A dispute or matter brought before a court for judgment.

📁 Category：Laws & Regulations 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The detective studied every detail of the mysterious case to find the truth. 🔊 The detective studied every detail of the mysterious legal case to find the truth.

🔗 Collocations

court case – a legal matter heard in a court

case law – law based on judicial decisions

closed case – a case that has been resolved

🔄 Synonyms

lawsuit (n.) – A claim or dispute brought to a court of law.

legal proceeding (n.) – An action taken in a court to resolve a dispute.

trial (n.) – A formal examination of evidence in a court.

🚫 Antonyms

settlement (n.) – An agreement reached outside of court to resolve a dispute.

🌱 Derivatives

casework (n.) – social work involving direct support to clients

caseload (n.) – the number of cases handled by a professional