verb
shelve
To slope gradually.
The lake bottom shelves gently away from the shore.
Etymology
Probably associated with shelf-like or sloping ground. The precise historical connection behind the sloping verb is uncertain.
More examples
- Beyond the fence, the ground shelves down to a stream.
- The beach shelves so gradually that the water stays shallow.
- A narrow path shelves toward the valley floor.
Forms
shelve · shelves · shelved · shelving