shelf S3 W3 / ʃelf / 名词 ( 复数形式 shelves / ʃelvz / )

1 [可数名词] a long flat narrow board attached to a wall or in a frame or cupboard, used for putting things on

top/bottom/next etc shelf

Put it back on the top shelf.

shelves of books

supermarket shelves

the amount of shelf space available

2 [可数名词] a narrow surface of rock shaped like a shelf, especially under water → continental shelf

3 off-the-shelf available to be bought immediately, without having to be specially designed or ordered :

off-the-shelf software packages → off-the-peg

4 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.

b) British English old-fashioned too old to get married – used especially of women

→ shelve ( 3 )