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sche·ma

(skēmə)

n. pl. sche·ma·ta (skē-mätə, skĭ-mătə) or sche·mas

1. A plan, outline, or model: a schema for prioritizing vaccinations; a writer's schema for a novel.

2. Psychology A pattern imposed on complex reality or experience to assist in explaining it, mediate perception, or guide response.

[Latin schēma, schēmat-, form; see SCHEME.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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