shelve¹ / shelv/ • v. [tr.] 1. place or arrange (items, esp. books) on a shelf. ∎ fig. decide not to proceed with (a project or plan), either temporarily or permanently: plans to reopen the school have been shelved.2. fit with shelves: one whole long wall was shelved.DERIVATIVES: shelv·er n.shelve² • v. [intr.] (of ground) slope downward in a specified manner or direction: the ground shelved gently down to the water.

shelve †tilt XVI; slope gradually XVII. perh. back-formation from shelvy having sandbanks (XVI), f. SHELF2 + -Y2.