I. ˈshelv, -eu̇v verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: from shelves, plural of shelf (I)
transitive verb
1. : to furnish with shelves
shelve a closet
shelve a library
a shelved table
2. : to place on a shelf : arrange or store upon shelves
shelve books
many libraries shelve recent fiction by itself — W.H.Jesse
3. : to put on the shelf: as
a. : remove from active service : dismiss
shelve an army officer
b. : to put aside (as from consideration) : put off indefinitely
the dangerous inclination of … politicans to shelve thorny problems — Henri Peyre
shelve a project
shelve a bill
intransitive verb
: to slope in a formation like a shelf : incline — often used with an adverb of direction
the mountains shelve off into the mesa country — American Guide Series: Colorado
the ground shelves steeply toward the north — James Whyle
a grassy plain … shelves out into a clean white beach — George Tichenor
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: back-formation from shelves, plural of shelf (I)
1. archaic : shelf 2a
2. : shelf 2c