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Webster 1913 Edition
Shelf
Shelf
,Noun.
pl.
Shelves
(#)
. [OE. ).]
shelfe
, schelfe
, AS. scylfe
; akin to G. schelfe
, Icel. skjālf
. In senses 2 & 3, perhaps a different word (cf. Shelve
, Verb.
I.
1.
(Arch.)
A flat tablet or ledge of any material set horizontally at a distance from the floor, to hold objects of use or ornament.
2.
A sand bank in the sea, or a rock, or ledge of rocks, rendering the water shallow, and dangerous to ships.
On the tawny sands and
shelves
. Milton.
On the secret
shelves
with fury cast. Dryden.
3.
(Mining)
A stratum lying in a very even manner; a flat, projecting layer of rock.
4.
(Naut.)
A piece of timber running the whole length of a vessel inside the timberheads.
D. Kemp.
To lay on the shelf
, to lay aside as unnecessary or useless; to dismiss; to discard.
Webster 1828 Edition
Shelf
SHELF
,Noun.
plu.
1. A platform of boards or planks, elevated above the floor, and fixed and set on a frame or contiguous to a wall, for holding vessels, utensils, books and the like.
2. A sand bank in the sea, or a rock or ledge of rocks, rendering the water shallow and dangerous to ships.
3. In mining, fast ground; the part of the internal structure of the earth which lies in an even regular form.