Webster's English Dictionary

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plan

1. plan \'plan\ n [F, plane, foundation, ground plan; partly fr. L planum 
   level ground, fr.] neut. of planus level; partly fr. F planter to plant, 
   fix in place, fr. LL plantare - more at FLOOR, PLANT 1: a drawing or 
   diagram drawn on a plane : as  1a: a top or horizontal view of an object  
   1b: a large-scale map of a small area  2a: a method of carrying out a 
   design : DEVICE  2b: a method of doing something : PROCEDURE  2c: a 
   detailed program of action  2d: GOAL, AIM  3: an orderly arrangement of 
   parts of an overall design or objective an a method devised for making or 
   doing something or achieving an end. PLAN always implies mental formulation 
   and sometimes graphic representation; DESIGN often suggests a particular 
   pattern and some degree of achieved order or harmony; PLOT implies a laying 
   out in clearly distinguished sections with attention to their relations and 
   proportions; SCHEME stresses calculation of the end in view and may apply 
   to a plan motivated by craftiness and self-seeking; PROJECT often stresses 
   imaginative scope and vision SYN syn PLAN, DESIGN, PLOT, SCHEME, PROJECT me 
2. plan vb or planned;  or plan.ning 1: to arrange the parts of : DESIGN  
   2: to devise or project the realization or achievement of  3: to have in 
   mind : INTEND  : to make plans  - plan.ner n