- plan
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I. noun
Etymology: French, plane, foundation, ground plan; partly from Latin planum level ground, from neuter of planus level; partly from French planter to plant, fix in place, from Late Latin plantare — more at floor, plant
Date: 1706
1. a drawing or diagram drawn on a plane: as
a. a top or horizontal view of an object
b. a large-scale map of a small area
2.
a. a method for achieving an end
b. an often customary method of doing something ; procedure
c. a detailed formulation of a program of action
d. goal, aim
3. an orderly arrangement of parts of an overall design or objective
4. a detailed program (as for payment or the provision of some service) <pension plan> • planless adjective • planlessly adverb • planlessness noun Synonyms: 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 <plans for a house>. design often suggests a particular pattern and some degree of achieved order or harmony <a design for a new dress>. plot implies a laying out in clearly distinguished sections with attention to their relations and proportions <the plot of the play>. scheme stresses calculation of the end in view and may apply to a plan motivated by craftiness and self-interest <a scheme to defraud the government>. project often stresses imaginative scope and vision <a project to develop the waterfront>. II. verb (planned; planning) Date: 1728 transitive verb 1. to arrange the parts of ; design <plan a new layout> 2. to devise or project the realization or achievement of <planned their escape> 3. to have in mind ; intend <plans to leave soon> intransitive verb 1. to make plans <plan ahead> 2. to have a specified intention — used with on <plans on going> • planner noun
New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.
