scheme

Where does the word "scheme" come from? It comes from Greek skhēma, passing through Latin before entering English (1550s).

Scheme’s story begins in Greek: skhēma meant “form, figure.” Greek, from 'ekhein', to have or hold. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as schema. Used for figures of speech and diagrams. It reached English by 1550s as scheme. The sense 'devious plot' dates from the 1700s. Today, scheme means a plan; a secret plot.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient skhēma "form, figure", Greek, from 'ekhein', to have or hold.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient schema "plan, figure", used for figures of speech and diagrams.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1550s scheme "figure; plan", the sense 'devious plot' dates from the 1700s.