affine schemes

Noun

affine scheme (plural affine schemes)

1. An abstract, geometric object in mathematics which generalizes the notion of an affine variety qua domain of a commutative ring of polynomial functions: a space which is the result of a particular construction beginning with an arbitrary commutative ring whereby elements of the ring can be thought of as functions on the space; a space which can be constructed in such a way. Formally: the spectrum of a commutative ring; a locally ringed space isomorphic to the spectrum of a commutative ring.