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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.
Definition 2024
shelf
shelf
English
Noun
shelf (plural shelves)
- A flat, rigid, rectangular structure, fixed at right angles to a wall or forming a part of a cabinet, desk etc., and used to support, store or display objects.
- 2012 October 31, David M. Halbfinger, "," New York Times (retrieved 31 October 2012):
- Localities across New Jersey imposed curfews to prevent looting. In Monmouth, Ocean and other counties, people waited for hours for gasoline at the few stations that had electricity. Supermarket shelves were stripped bare.
- 2012 October 31, David M. Halbfinger, "," New York Times (retrieved 31 October 2012):
- The capacity of such an object; as, a shelf of videos.
- A projecting ledge that resembles such an object.
- A reef, shoal or sandbar.
Synonyms
- (capacity): shelfful
Related terms
Derived terms
Translations
structure
|
|
capacity
reef, shoal, sandbar