What does it mean when a case is referred to as 'dismissed'?

When a case is referred to as 'dismissed,' it signifies that the court has officially terminated the proceedings related to that case without reaching a final verdict on the merits. This means that no further legal action or trial will occur regarding that particular case. A dismissal can occur for various reasons, such as lack of jurisdiction, failure to prosecute, or other procedural issues, but the common outcome is that the claims presented are not addressed or decided upon by the court.

In contrast, the other options outline scenarios that either imply ongoing legal implications or specific outcomes that do not accurately reflect the meaning of dismissal. For instance, a verdict in favor of the defendant does not mean the case is dismissed, as that outcome typically follows a trial's conclusion. Additionally, assigning costs to the plaintiff and rescheduling a trial pertain to different procedural contexts and do not align with the definition of a dismissal.