Category:Scheme

Scheme, n. Etym: [l. schema a rhetorical figure, a shape, figure, Manner, gr. 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 cuttig 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.)

Defn: a representation of the aspects of the celestial bodies for any Moment o at a given event. A blue case, from which was drawn a scheme of nativity. Sir w. Scott.

Syn. -- plan; project; contrivance; purpose; device; plot. -- 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.

Scheme Scheme, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Schemed; p. pr. & vb. n. Scheming.]

Defn: 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, v. i.

Defn: to form a scheme or schemes.