shelve
1[ shelv ]
/ ʃɛlv /
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verb (used with object), shelved, shelv·ing.
to place (something) on a shelf or shelves.
to put off or aside from consideration: to shelve the question.
to remove from active use or service; dismiss.
to furnish with shelves.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON “THEIR,” “THERE,” AND “THEY’RE”
Are you aware how often people swap around “their,” “there,” and “they’re”? Prove you have more than a fair grasp over these commonly confused words.
Question 1 of 7
Which one of these commonly confused words can act as an adverb or a pronoun?
Origin of shelve
1First recorded in 1585–95; verb use of shelve(s)
OTHER WORDS FROM shelve
shelver, nounWords nearby shelve
shelter in place, shelter tent, sheltie, Shelton, shelty, shelve, shelves, shelving, Shem, Shema, she-male
Definition for shelve (2 of 2)
shelve2
[ shelv ]
/ ʃɛlv /
verb (used without object), shelved, shelv·ing.
to slope gradually.
Origin of shelve
21580–90; origin uncertain; compare Frisian skelf not quite level
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for shelve
British Dictionary definitions for shelve (1 of 2)
shelve1
/ (ʃɛlv) /
verb (tr)
to place on a shelf
to provide with shelves
to put aside or postpone from consideration
to dismiss or cause to retire
Derived forms of shelve
shelver, nounWord Origin for shelve
C16: from shelves, plural of shelf
British Dictionary definitions for shelve (2 of 2)
shelve2
/ (ʃɛlv) /
verb
(intr) to slope away gradually; incline
Word Origin for shelve
C16: origin uncertain
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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