scheme

/ˈskēm/

Latin schemat-, schema arrangement, figure, from Greek schēmat-, schēma, from echein to have, hold, be in (such) a condition; akin to Old English sige victory, Sanskrit sahate he prevails

noun

  1. a plan or program of action; especially : a crafty or secret one

  2. a systematic or organized configuration : design

  3. a concise statement or table : epitome

plan design plot scheme project mean a method devised for making or doing something or achieving an end. plan always implies mental formulation and sometimes graphic representation. design often suggests a particular pattern and some degree of achieved order or harmony.

verb

  1. to form plans; also : plot, intrigue

  2. to form a scheme for

noun

  1. an investment swindle in which some early investors are paid off with money put up by later ones in order to encourage more and bigger risks