scheme English · revision 4451

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1553|origins=grc σχῆμα}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /skiːm/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la|schēma|t=shape, figure; figure of speech]],^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) from [[grc|σχῆμα|tr=skhêma|t=figure, appearance, form]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) related to skhein “to get” and ekhein “to have, hold”,^(Etymonline) from [[ine-pro|*seǵʰ-|alt=*segh-|t=to hold]].^(Etymonline) It is related to [[schema]] and [[schematic]].^(NODE 1998)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ In rhetoric, a figure of speech: 1553 in the OED,^(OED 1989) the 1550s in Etymonline; the sense is obsolete.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ An early sense was a diagram of the positions of the planets, especially in astrology (1610),^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)^(Cresswell 2021) which led to a diagram or outline in general (1649),^(OED 1989)^(Cresswell 2021) an outline or epitome (1647)^(OED 1989) and a programme of action (1640s).^(Etymonline) A plan to attain some end is by 1718, and unfavourable overtones of selfishness and deviousness began to creep in after that.^(Etymonline) An orderly arrangement of parts is from 1736, as in ''colour scheme'' (by 1890).^(Etymonline) The verb meant to reduce to a scheme in 1716,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) to devise a scheme or plot in 1767,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and to form plans, contrive, by 1842.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) In dialect it also meant to play truant or go on a spree.^(OED 1989)^(Wright 1898) In British use it also means an official plan or system, as a ''pension scheme''.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1553 – a figure of speech.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1610 – an astrological diagram.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1640s – a programme of action.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1716 – verb, to reduce to a scheme.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1718 – a plan to attain an end.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1767 – verb, to plot.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1842 – verb, to contrive, intransitive.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A systematic plan or [[programme]] of action.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A secret or devious plan; a [[plot]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # An orderly arrangement of related parts: ''a colour scheme''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A [[diagram]] or outline.^(AHD)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To make secret plans; to plot.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To plan or contrive.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[schemer]]

+ * [[schemeless]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[schema]]

+ * [[schematic]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}