Case

See also: case, CASE, casé, cáse, cåse, and cåsĕ

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /keɪs/

• Audio (US):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -eɪs

Etymology 1

Capitalization by Noam Chomsky.

Noun

Case

1. (grammar) abstract feature of a noun phrase that determines its function in a sentence, such as a grammatical case and a position.
   • 1988, Frederick J. Newmeyer, Linguistic Theory: Foundations

     The basic principle governing case is:
     (20) The Case filter:
     A lexicalized NP must bear a Case feature in S-structure.
     ‘Case’ with a capital C is here understood not as morphologically marked case, but as an abstract feature which will be present even in languages such as Swahili or Chinese which lack case marking on NPs (it is usually assumed however, that Case will be congruent with morphological case where the latter is present).

   • 1993, Anders Holmberg, Urpo Nikanne, Case and Other Functional Categories in Finnish Syntax

     When we have clitic doubling constructions (with both a full NP and a clitic), the NP needs a dummy Case marker in order to get Case, as its “normal” Case is absorbed by the clitic, otherwise it will be ruled out by the Case Filter. It must be stressed that ‘Case’ here is abstract Case (written with capital C), a licencing requirement making arguments visible for θ-marking, and not morphological case.

Etymology 2

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Proper noun

Case

1. A surname

Anagrams

• ACEs, ASCE, Aces, Ceas, ESCA, SCEA, aces, aesc, esca, æsc

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Luxembourgish

Etymology

Borrowed from French case.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /kaːs/
  • Rhymes: -aːs

Noun

Case f (plural Casen)

1. compartment, pigeonhole
2. a printed box or square (e.g. on a board game)