[L. schema; Gr. from a contracted word, probably from to have or hold.]

1. A plan; a combination of things connected and adjusted by design; a system.

We shall never be able to give ourselves a satisfactory account of the divine conduct without forming such a scheme of things as shall take in time and eternity.

2. A project; a contrivance; a plan of something to be done; a design. Thus we say, to form a scheme, to lay a scheme, to contrive a scheme.

The stoical scheme of supplying our wants by lopping off our desires, is like cutting off our feet when we want shoes.

3. A representation of the aspects of the celestial bodies; any lineal or mathematical diagram.