scheme (skēm)
n.

1. A systematic plan of action: "Did you ever carry out your scheme of writing a series of sonnets embodying all the great epochs of art?" (Edith Wharton).
2. A secret or devious plan; a plot. See synonyms at plan.
3. An orderly combination of related parts: an irrigation scheme with dams, reservoirs, and channels.
4. A chart, diagram, or outline of a system or object.

v., schemed, schem·ing, schemes.

v.tr.

1. To plot: scheming their revenge.
2. To contrive a plan or scheme for.

v.intr.
To make plans, especially secret or devious ones.

[Latin schēma, figure, from Greek skhēma.]

schemer schem'er n.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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