— 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; 1 , learned borrowing of L planus level (cf. PLAIN 1 ) ]
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.