catflap.org Online Dictionary Query

  Scheme \Scheme\, v. i.
     To form a scheme or schemes.

  Scheme \Scheme\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Schemed; p. pr. & vb. n.
     Scheming.]
     To make a scheme of; to plan; to design; to project; to plot.
  
           That wickedness which schemed, and executed, his
           destruction.                             --G. Stuart.

  Scheme \Scheme\, n. [L. schema a rhetorical figure, a shape,
     figure, manner, Gr. ?, ?, form, shape, outline, plan, fr. ?,
     ?, to have or hold, to hold out, sustain, check, stop; cf.
     Skr. sah to be victorious, to endure, to hold out, AS. sige
     victory, G. sieg. Cf. Epoch, Hectic, School.]
     1. A combination of things connected and adjusted by design;
        a system.
  
              The appearance and outward scheme of things.
                                                    --Locke.
  
              Such a scheme of things as shall at once take in
              time and eternity.                    --Atterbury.
  
              Arguments . . . sufficient to support and
              demonstrate a whole scheme of moral philosophy. --J.
                                                    Edwards.
  
              The Revolution came and changed his whole scheme of
              life.                                 --Macaulay.
  
     2. A plan or theory something to be done; a design; a
        project; as, to form a scheme.
  
              The stoical scheme of supplying our wants by lopping
              off our desires, is like cutting off our feet when
              we want shoes.                        --Swift.
  
     3. Any lineal or mathematical diagram; an outline.
  
              To draw an exact scheme of Constantinople, or a map
              of France.                            --South.
  
     4. (Astrol.) A representation of the aspects of the celestial
        bodies for any moment or at a given event.
  
              A blue silk case, from which was drawn a scheme of
              nativity.                             --Sir W.
                                                    Scott.
  
     Syn: Plan; project; contrivance; purpose; device; plot.
  
     Usage: Scheme, Plan. Scheme and plan are subordinate to
            design; they propose modes of carrying our designs
            into effect. Scheme is the least definite of the two,
            and lies more in speculation. A plan is drawn out into
            details with a view to being carried into effect. As
            schemes are speculative, they often prove visionary;
            hence the opprobrious use of the words schemer and
            scheming. Plans, being more practical, are more
            frequently carried into effect.
  
                  He forms the well-concerted scheme of mischief;
                  'T is fixed, 't is done, and both are doomed to
                  death.                            --Rowe.
  
                  Artists and plans relieved my solemn hours; I
                  founded palaces, and planted bowers. --Prior.