schematic

comparative more schematic · superlative most schematic

1. Represented too simply or in an overly formulaic way, reflecting a shallow or incomplete understanding of complex subject matter.
2. Sketchy, incomplete.

   Dr. Starbuck gives an interesting, and it seems to me a true, account—so far as conceptions so schematic can claim truth at all[…]

   1902, William James, “Lecture IX. Conversion.”, in The Varieties of Religious Experience: A Study in Human Nature […] , New York, N.Y.; London: Longmans, Green, and Co. […], →OCLC

3. Relating to a schema.

   1 more example

   Given the terminology we have introduced here, we can say that all of the bracketed phrases in (3) above are of the schematic form (4) below: (4) Specifier + Head + Complement Now, we have already argued in the case of Noun Phrases that a Head Noun together with its Complement form an N-bar; and that this N-bar together with its Specifier ( = Determiner) forms an N-double-bar.

   1988, Andrew Radford, Transformational grammar: a first course, Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, page 228

plural schematics

1. A simplified line drawing used by scientists, engineers, technologists and others to illustrate a system at an abstract level. Schematic drawings often use standard symbols for clarity.

   I'll have to study the schematics for the new integrated circuit before I can create a good layout.

   1 more example

   In contrast to other media players and similar devices, the Chumby’s internal schematics and source code — the programs that make it work — are completely open and available on www.chumby.com.

   2007 November 15, John Biggs, “Tinkering at Home, Selling on the Web”, in The New York Times

   Synonyms: diagram