shelfware en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- (US) audio
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *(s)kelH- Proto-Indo-European *(s)kel(H)-p-der. Proto-Germanic *skelfōder. Proto-West Germanic *skelfu:der. Proto-West Germanic *skilfijā Old English sċylfe? Middle English schelfe English shelf Proto-West Germanic *samft(ī) Old English sōfte Middle English softe English soft Proto-Germanic *warō Proto-West Germanic *waru Old English waru Middle English ware English -ware English softwarebf. English -ware English shelfware From shelf + -ware.
Meanings
- (uncountable) A piece of software that has never been used at all since its creation.
- (uncountable) A piece of software created for the sole purpose of being immediately shelved.
- (uncountable) Software purchased but not used.