The appearance and outward scheme of things. Locke.

Such a scheme of things as shall at once take in time and eternity. Atterbury.

Arguments . . . sufficient to support and demonstrate a whole scheme of moral philosophy. J. Edwards.

The Revolution came and changed his whole scheme of life. Macaulay.

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

To draw an exact scheme of Constantinople, or a map of France. South.

A blue silk case, from which was drawn a scheme of nativity. Sir W. Scott.

Syn. -- Plan; project; contrivance; purpose; device; plot. -- Scheme, Plan. Scheme and plan are subordinate to design; they propose modes of carrying our designs into effect. Scheme is the least definite of the two, and lies more in speculation. A plan is drawn out into details with a view to being carried into effect. As schemes are speculative, they often prove visionary; hence the opprobrious use of the words schemer and scheming. Plans, being more practical, are more frequently carried into effect.

He forms the well-concerted scheme of mischief;
'T is fixed, 't is done, and both are doomed to death. Rowe.

Artists and plans relieved my solemn hours;
I founded palaces, and planted bowers. Prior.

That wickedness which schemed, and executed, his destruction. G. Stuart.