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ly; artful; cunning; crafty; subtle; as, a subtile person; a subtile adversary; a subtile scheme. [In this sense now commonly written subtle.]

To urge such arguments, as though they were sufficient to support and demonstrate a whole scheme of moral philosophy. J. Edwards.

he best way to learn any science, is to begin with a regular system, or a short and plain scheme of that science well drawn up into a narrow compass. I. Watts.

A schedule, system, or scheme of duties imposed by the government of a country upon goods imported or exported; as, a revenue tariff; a protective tariff; Clay's compromise tariff. (U.S. 1833).

ing forth; to be stocked to overflowing; to be prolific; to abound. His mind teeming with schemes of future deceit to cover former villainy. Sir W. Scott. The young, brimful of the hopes and feeling which teem in our time. F. Harrison.

A sphere or scheme of operation. [Obs.] For if a man can be partaker of God's theater, he shall likewise be partaker of God's rest. Bacon.

A doctrine, or scheme of things, which terminates in speculation or contemplation, without a view to practice; hypothesis; speculation.

A certificate or token of a share in a lottery or other scheme for distributing money, goods, or the like.

A treatise on forms of argument; a system or scheme of forms or commonplaces of argument or oratory; as, the Topics of Aristotle. These topics, or loci, were no other than general ideas applicable to a great many different subjects, which the orator was directed to consult. Blair. In this question by [reason] I do not…

sisting in treason; partaking of treason; implying breach of allegiance; as, a traitorous scheme. -- Trai"tor*ous*ly, adv. -- Trai"tor*ous*ness, n.

Disbelief; especially, disbelief of divine revelation, or in a divine providence or scheme of redemption. Blind unbelief is sure to err, And scan his work in vain. Cowper.

A clandestine scheme; a trick. Addison.

The ideas, views, aims, etc., of a Utopian; impracticable schemes of human perfection; optimism.

eal; fanciful; imaginary; having no solid foundation; as, visionary prospect; a visionary scheme or project. Swift.

The means by which anything is reached, or anything is accomplished; scheme; device; plan. My best way is to creep under his gaberdine. Shak. By noble ways we conquest will prepare. Dryden. What impious ways my wishes took! Prior.

, she could not have loved a thing better. B. Jonson. Did thy foul fancy whelp so black a scheme Young.

dom; well adapted to produce good effects; judicious; discreet; as, a wise saying; a wise scheme or plan; wise conduct or management; a wise determination. "Eminent in wise deport." Milton. To make it wise, to make it a matter of deliberation. [Obs.] " We thought it was not worth to make it wise." Chaucer. -- Wise in…

fort; -- with a following preposition, as down, out, into, up, through, and the like; as, scheme works out by degrees; to work into the earth. Till body up to spirit work, in bounds Proportioned to each kind. Milton.