vi a stratum lying in a very even manner; a flat, projecting layer of rock.
2. shelf ·vi a piece of timber running the whole length of a vessel inside the timberheads.
3. shelf ·vi a sand bank in the sea, or a rock, or ledge of rocks, rendering the water shallow, and dangerous to ships.
4. shelf ·vi a flat tablet or ledge of any material set horizontally at a distance from the floor, to hold objects of use or ornament.