Where does “shelf” come from?

Shelf comes from Middle English schelfe, from Old English scylfe, of uncertain origin and meaning.

shelf (English): A flat, rigid structure, fixed at right angles to...

Definitions

  1. A flat, rigid structure, fixed at right angles to...

Ancestry of “shelf”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle EnglishschelfeA shelf or ledge; A cupboard; a piece of...
2Old Englishsċylfedeck of a ship

Words derived from “shelf

Every word from Old English sċylfe