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   scheme

   /skiːm/

   noun

   • 1. a large-scale systematic plan or arrangement for attaining a particular object or putting a particular idea into effect: British "the occupational sick pay scheme" Similar planprojectplan of actionprogrammestrategystratagemgame planenterpriseventuremeasuremovecourse of actionline of actionsystemproceduredesignformularecipedevicetacticcontrivanceproposalpropositionsuggestionideablueprintinformal:wheezelurkarchaic:shift
   • ▪ a secret or underhand plan; a plot: "police uncovered a scheme to steal paintings worth more than $250,000" Similar plotintrigueconspiracysecret planruseploystratagemmanoeuvresubterfugemachinationsinformal:gameracketscamdodgeschlenter
   • ▪ a particular ordered system or arrangement: "a classical rhyme scheme" Similar arrangementsystemorganizationconfigurationpatternformatlayoutdispositiontechnical:schema
   • 2. an estate of social housing: informal Scottish "the whole scheme is plunged into darkness, bar the light in Victor's house"

   verb

   • 1. make plans, especially in a devious way or with intent to do something illegal or wrong: "envious of their wealth, he schemed to bring about their downfall"
   • ▪ think; suppose: informal South African "I scheme it could work"
   • 2. arrange according to a colour scheme: "she was busy arranging flowers, scheming the candles and napkins"

   Word Origin mid 16th century (denoting a figure of speech): from Latin schema, from Greek (see schema). An early sense was ‘diagram of the position of celestial objects’, giving rise to ‘diagram, outline’, whence the current senses. The unfavourable notion ‘plot’ arose in the mid 18th century.

   Scrabble Points: 13

   • S

     1

   • C

     3

   • H

     4

   • E

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   • M

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   • E

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