The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word SHELVING
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
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More clues leading to the result SHELVING
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Putting off/space for books, perhaps" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case putting off/space for books, perhaps = shelving.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does SHELVING mean?
SHELVING verb- To place on a shelf.
- To set aside; to quit or postpone.
- To furnish with shelves.
- To take (drugs) by anal or vaginal insertion.
- To have sex with.
- To slope; to incline; to form into shelves.
- Shelves collectively.
- (chiefly in the plural) The side-rails of a cart or waggon.
- The bank of a river etc.
- Sloping steeply