noun (n)

• an internal representation of the world; an organization of concepts and actions that can be revised by new information about the world(noun.cognition)

  Synonym:
  scheme
  

  source: wordnet30
• a schematic or preliminary plan(noun.cognition)

  Synonym:
  outline, scheme
  

  source: wordnet30
• An outline or image universally applicable to a general conception, under which it is likely to be presented to the mind; as, five dots in a line are a schema of the number five; a preceding and succeeding event are a schema of cause and effect.(noun)

  source: webster1913