plan

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