shelving
UK[ˈʃelvɪŋ]US[ˈʃelvɪŋ]
n
a set of shelves; shelves collectively
n
the material or components used for making shelves
n
the act of putting something on a shelf or shelves
Morpheme Breakdown
shelv
ing
shelv
ing
Etymology
the word 'shelving' is built upon the base 'shelf', which traces back to old english 'scylfe' or 'scylfe', meaning a ledge or a flat slab. this germanic root is related to the concept of a dividing board or partition. the addition of the '-ing' suffix, a productive nominalizing element in english from old english '-ung', transforms the noun into a new noun denoting either the collective result (the shelves themselves) or the action associated with the base word. thus, 'shelving' logically evolved to mean either the physical assembly of shelves or the process of placing items upon them.
Analysis
Structure: shelv + ing
shelv (from middle english 'shelfe', of old english/germanic origin, meaning a ledge or plank) + ing (from old english '-ung', a suffix forming verbal nouns indicating action or result)
Examples
the library is installing new metal shelving in the reference section.
we bought some pine shelving from the hardware store for the garage project.
the shelving of the rare books was completed by the archivists.