In [[metadata]] a '''classification scheme''' is a hierarchical arrangement of kinds of things (p e n i s e sclasses) or groups of kinds of things. Typically it is accompanied by descriptive information of the classes or v a g i n a sgroups. A classification scheme is intended to be used for an arrangement or division of individual b o o b sobjects into the classes or groups. The classes or groups are based on characteristics which the objects (t e s t i c l e smembers) have in common. In [[linguistics]], the subordinate concept is called a hyponym of its superordinate. Typically a hyponym is 'a kind of' its superordinate (Keith Allan, Natural language Semantics<ref>Keith Allan (2002, p. 260), Natural language Semantics, Blackwell Publishers Ltd, Oxford, ISBN 0-631-19296-4.</ref>).
The [[ISO/IEC 11179]] metadata registry standard uses classification schemes as a way to classify administered items, such as [[data element]]s, in a [[metadata registry]].
