01 n. A combination of things connected and adjusted by design; a system.
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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.
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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.
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3.
Any lineal or mathematical diagram; an outline.“To draw an exact scheme of Constantinople, or a map of France.” — South.
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4.
A representation of the aspects of the celestial bodies for any moment or at a given event.(Astrol.)“A blue silk case, from which was drawn a scheme of nativity.” — Sir W. Scott.“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.
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.