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Shelf vs Desk - What's the difference?

shelf | desk |

As nouns the difference between shelf and desk

is that shelf is a flat, rigid, rectangular structure, fixed at right angles to a wall, and used to support, store or display objects while desk is a table, frame, or case, usually with sloping top, but often with flat top, for the use of writers and readers it often has a drawer or repository underneath.

As a verb desk is

to shut up, as in a desk; to treasure.

shelf

English

(wikipedia shelf)

Noun

(shelves)
  • A flat, rigid, rectangular structure, fixed at right angles to a wall, and used to support, store or display objects.
  • * 2012 October 31, David M. Halbfinger, "[http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/01/nyregion/new-jersey-continues-to-cope-with-hurricane-sandy.html?hp]," New York Times (retrieved 31 October 2012):
  • Localities across New Jersey imposed curfews to prevent looting. In Monmouth, Ocean and other counties, people waited for hours for gasoline at the few stations that had electricity. Supermarket shelves were stripped bare.
  • The capacity of such an object; as, a shelf of videos.
  • A projecting ledge that resembles such an object.
  • A reef, shoal or sandbar.
  • Synonyms

    * (capacity) shelfful

    Derived terms

    * bookshelf * continental shelf * off the shelf * on the shelf * shelfful * shelvy * shelf life

    desk

    English

    Noun

    (en noun) (wikipedia desk)
  • A table, frame, or case, usually with sloping top, but often with flat top, for the use of writers and readers. It often has a drawer or repository underneath.
  • * , chapter=5
  • , title= The Mirror and the Lamp , passage=Here, in the transept and choir, where the service was being held, one was conscious every moment of an increasing brightness; colours glowing vividly beneath the circular chandeliers, and the rows of small lights on the choristers' desks flashed and sparkled in front of the boys' faces, deep linen collars, and red neckbands.}}
  • A reading table or lectern to support the book from which the liturgical service is read, differing from the pulpit from which the sermon is preached; also (especially in the United States), a pulpit. Hence, used symbolically for the clerical profession.
  • Hypernyms

    * furniture

    Coordinate terms

    * chair

    Derived terms

    * cash desk * desk job * front desk * reception desk * Resolute desk

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To shut up, as in a desk; to treasure.