shelf

Meaning

A flat, rigid structure, fixed at right angles to a wall or forming a part of a cabinet, desk, etc., and used to display, store, or support objects.
The capacity of such an object
A projecting ledge that resembles such an object.
The part of a repository where shelvesets are stored.

rack

ledge

book-case

closing down

wooden board

manteltree

bed-rock

bed rock

overhanging rock

projecting rock

mantel-piece

mantel-shelf

what-not

back burner

supporting frame

support stand

support frame

open-shelf

fixed mount

shelf board

bay bear

bear frame

hidden rock

drowned reef

sunken reef

foot /ft.

f./

muddy shore

Frequency

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ʃɛlf/

From Middle English schelfe, probably from Old English sċylfe, sċilfe (“shelf, ledge, deck of a ship”), from Proto-West Germanic *skilfijā, from Proto-Germanic *skelfō (“shelf, ledge, cliff”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)kelH- (“to cut”), distantly related to sculpt, carve and shell. Cognate with Dutch schelf (“hay loft, haystack”), German Low German Schelf (“haystack”), Old Norse skjalf (“bench”).