v. t. 1. To furnish with shelves; as, to shelve a closet or a library. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. To place on a shelf. Hence: To lay on the shelf; to put aside; to dismiss from service; to put off indefinitely; as, to shelve an officer; to shelve a claim. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Shelved p. pr. & vb. n. Shelving. ] [ Perhapss originally from the same source as shallow, but influenced by shelf a ledge, a platform. ] To incline gradually; to be slopping; as, the bottom shelves from the shore. [ 1913 Webster ]