shelve

¹

[shelv]

verb (used with object)

shelved, shelving 

1. to place (something) on a shelf or shelves.

2. to put off or aside from consideration.

   to shelve the question.

   Synonyms: pigeonhole, table, defer

3. to remove from active use or service; dismiss.

4. to furnish with shelves.

shelve

²

[shelv]

verb (used without object)

shelved, shelving 

1. to slope gradually.

shelve

¹

/ ʃɛlv /

verb

1. to place on a shelf

2. to provide with shelves

3. to put aside or postpone from consideration

4. to dismiss or cause to retire

shelve

²

/ ʃɛlv /

verb

1. (intr) to slope away gradually; incline

Other Word Forms

• shelver noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of shelve¹

First recorded in 1585–95; verb use of shelve(s)

Origin of shelve²

1580–90; origin uncertain; compare Frisian skelf not quite level

Word History and Origins

Origin of shelve¹

C16: from shelves, plural of _shelf

Origin of shelve²

C16: origin uncertain

Example Sentences

But by the end of the 1920s, those orders were being cancelled and the design concept was shelved.

Read more on BBC

Orban also installed a loyalist chief prosecutor under whose office “numerous high-profile allegations of corruption have been either quietly shelved or investigated perfunctorily before being dropped,” according to EU Today.

Read more on Salon

"Our research shows over 800,000 homeowners have shelved moving plans in the past two years, and stamp duty is a major barrier."

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The comment riled up the Motor City, prompting the local ABC affiliate to briefly shelve Kimmel’s show.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The dish, I thought, deserved better than to be shelved with the sunscreen.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• freeze 
• give up 
• mothball 
• prolong 
• put off 
• suspend 
• waive