scheme
UK[skiːm]US[skiːm]
n
a large-scale, systematic plan or arrangement for attaining a particular object or putting a particular idea into effect.
n
a secret or underhanded plan; a plot.
v
make plans, especially in a devious way or with intent to do something illegal or wrong.
Etymology
The word 'scheme' entered English in the late 16th century, borrowed from the Latin 'schema', which itself came from the Greek 'σχῆμα' (skhēma), meaning 'figure, appearance, form, or plan'. The Greek term derives from the verb 'ἔχειν' (echein, 'to have, hold'), which has a Proto-Indo-European root in segh- ('to hold'). The semantic journey is one of abstraction: from a concrete physical 'form' or 'figure', the meaning evolved to denote an abstract 'plan' or 'systematic arrangement'. By the mid-18th century, the word had acquired its negative connotation of a secret or underhanded plot, reflecting a shift from a neutral design to one associated with cunning intention.
Analysis
The word 'scheme' is a simplex loanword from Latin via Greek. Its spelling and form in modern English do not allow for a transparent segmentation into meaningful substrings based on its current orthography.
Examples
The company introduced a new pension scheme for its employees.
He was convicted for his part in a fraudulent investment scheme.
They are scheming to get control of the company.