Shelves

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Shelf \Shelf\, n.; pl. {Shelves}. [OE. shelfe, schelfe, AS.
     scylfe; akin to G. schelfe, Icel. skj[=a]lf. In senses 2 & 3,
     perhaps a different word (cf. {Shelve}, v. 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.


        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. A sand bank in the sea, or a rock, or ledge of rocks,
        rendering the water shallow, and dangerous to ships.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              On the tawny sands and shelves.       --Milton.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              On the secret shelves with fury cast. --Dryden.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Mining) A stratum lying in a very even manner; a flat,
        projecting layer of rock.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     4. (Naut.) A piece of timber running the whole length of a
        vessel inside the timberheads. --D. Kemp.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     {To lay on the shelf}, to lay aside as unnecessary or
        useless; to dismiss; to discard.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  shelf
       n 1: a support that consists of a horizontal surface for holding
            objects
       2: a projecting ridge on a mountain or submerged under water
          [syn: {ledge}]
       [also: {shelves} (pl)]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  shelves
       See {shelf}