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—planless, adj. —planlessly, adv. —planlessness, n./plan/, n., v., planned, planning.n.1. a scheme or method of acting, doing, proceeding, making, etc., developed in advance: battle plans.2. a design or scheme of arrangement: an elaborate plan for seating guests.3. a specific project or definite purpose: plans for the future.4. Also called plan view. a drawing made to scale to represent the top view or a horizontal section of a structure or a machine, as a floor layout of a building.5. a representation of a thing drawn on a plane, as a map or diagram: a plan of the dock area.6. (in perspective drawing) one of several planes in front of a represented object, and perpendicular to the line between the object and the eye.7. a formal program for specified benefits, needs, etc.: a pension plan.v.t.8. to arrange a method or scheme beforehand for (any work, enterprise, or proceeding): to plan a new recreation center.9. to make plans for: to plan one's vacation.10. to draw or make a diagram or layout of, as a building.v.i.11. to make plans: to plan ahead; to plan for one's retirement.[1670-80; < F: ground, plan, groundwork, scheme, n. use of the adj.: flat, PLANE1, learned borrowing of L planus level (cf. PLAIN1)]Syn. 1. plot, formula, system. PLAN, PROJECT, DESIGN, SCHEME imply a formulated method of doing something. PLAN refers to any method of thinking out acts and purposes beforehand: What are your plans for today? A PROJECT is a proposed or tentative plan, often elaborate or extensive: an irrigation project. DESIGN suggests art, dexterity, or craft (sometimes evil and selfish) in the elaboration or execution of a plan, and often tends to emphasize the purpose in view: a misunderstanding brought about by design. A SCHEME is apt to be either a speculative, possibly impracticable, plan, or a selfish or dishonest one: a scheme to swindle someone. 4. sketch, draft, diagram, chart. 8. design, devise, plot.
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Universalium. 2010.
