schem´er

scheme «skeem», noun, verb, schemed, schem|ing.

–n.

1. a program of action; plan: »

He has a scheme for extracting salt from seawater. It forms no part of our scheme to tell what became of the remainder (Thackeray).

SYNONYM(S): design, project.

2. a self-seeking or underhanded project; plot: »

a scheme to cheat the government.

3. a system of connected things, parts, or thoughts: »

a scheme of theology. The color scheme of the room is blue and gold.

4. a diagram; outline; table: »

a scheme of postal rates.

5. a visionary plan; foolish project.

6. Obsolete. an astrological diagram of the heavens.

–v.i.

to devise plans, especially underhanded or evil ones; plot: »

Those men were scheming to cheat the government by bringing the jewels into the country without paying duty.

SYNONYM(S): See syn. under plot. (Cf. ↑plot)

–v.t.

to devise (a plan or scheme); plan; plot. SYNONYM(S): See syn. under plot. (Cf. ↑plot)

╂[< Latin schēma < Greek schêma, -atos figure, appearance < échein to have. See etym. of doublet schema. (Cf. ↑schema)]

–schem´er, noun.