Topic: GEOLOGY
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| Date: | 1300-1400 |
| Language: | Middle Low German |
| Origin: | schelf |
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shelf S3 W3
plural shelves
plural shelves1 [countable]DHF a long flat narrow board attached to a wall or in a frame or cupboard, used for putting things on shelves of books supermarket shelves
shelves of bookssupermarket shelves2 [countable]HEG a narrow surface of rock shaped like a shelf, especially under water ➔ continental shelf
3 available to be bought immediately, without having to be specially designed or ordered : off-the-shelf software packages ➔ off-the-peg
off-the-shelf
BBToff-the-shelf software packages4
be (left) on the shelf
a) if something is left on the shelf, it is not used or considered : The album stayed on the shelf for several years, until it was finally released.
The album stayed on the shelf for several years, until it was finally released.b) British English old-fashioned to be considered too old to get married, used especially of women
