A flat tablet or ledge of any material set horizontally at a distance from the floor, to hold objects of use or ornament.
A sand bank in the sea, or a rock, or ledge of rocks, rendering the water shallow, and dangerous to ships. On the tawny sands and shelves. Milton. On the secret shelves with fury cast. Dryden.
A stratum lying in a very even manner; a flat, projecting layer of rock.
A piece of timber running the whole length of a vessel inside the timberheads. D. Kemp. To lay on the shelf, to lay aside as unnecessary or useless; to dismiss; to discard.
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