livery

[ liv-uh-ree, liv-ree ]

/ ˈlɪv ə ri, ˈlɪv ri /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR livery ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural liv·er·ies.

a distinctive uniform, badge, or device formerly provided by someone of rank or title for his retainers, as in time of war.

a uniform worn by servants.

distinctive attire worn by an official, a member of a company or guild, etc.

Also called livery company. British. a guild or company of the City of London entitled to wear such livery.

characteristic dress, garb, or outward appearance: the green livery of summer.

the care, feeding, stabling, etc., of horses for pay.

livery stable.

a company that rents out automobiles, boats, etc.

Law. an ancient method of conveying a freehold by formal delivery of possession.

Origin of livery

1250–1300; Middle English livere < Anglo-French, equivalent to Old French livree allowance (of food, clothing, etc.), noun use of feminine past participle of livrer to give over < Latin līberāre; see liberate

Words nearby livery

liverpolitan, liverpool, liverpudlian, liverwort, liverwurst, livery, livery colors, livery company, livery cupboard, livery stable, liveryman

Definition for livery (2 of 2)

livery ²

[ liv-uh-ree ]

/ ˈlɪv ə ri /

adjective

liverish.

Origin of livery

First recorded in 1770–80; liver¹ + -y¹

Example sentences from the Web for livery

Outside the courthouse, they were swarmed by a media mob until they managed to get into a livery cab.

Feds Hope to Use Former Underling to Land Hedge-Fund Trader Steven Cohen |Michael Daly |November 27, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
But he had a business card and livery plates, so we piled in and headed out into the storm.

Ciao, Roma! Hello, Newark! |James Atlas |January 6, 2011 |DAILY BEAST
My first visit to Paris and my discovery of the livery fare came to mind.

For the Love of Pâté |Molly Hannon |January 5, 2011 |DAILY BEAST
In Tombstone, Arizona, in 1879, John Montgomery founded the O.K. Corral, Livery and Feed Stable.

OK, O.K., Okay |Denver Nicks |December 9, 2010 |DAILY BEAST

Fust time she was in one of Snow's livery buggies, Snow's boy drivin' her.

The Woman-Haters |Joseph C. Lincoln
In less than half a minute, the door was opened and a serving-man in livery of yellow stood before him.

House of Torment |Cyril Arthur Edward Ranger Gull
But above the livery a voice spoke, a voice that I knew, a voice that I could hardly believe was speaking to me here.

Miss Million's Maid |Bertha Ruck
Have the men-at-arms get into livery, and make a guard of honour for the Governor when he leaves.

The Lane That Had No Turning, Complete |Gilbert Parker
The light he carried revealed to him standing outside a lackey in a livery of orange and green, trimmed with silver lace.

The Sword of Honor, volumes 1 & 2 |Eugne Sue

British Dictionary definitions for livery (1 of 2)

livery ¹

/ (ˈlɪvərɪ) /

noun plural -eries

the identifying uniform, badge, etc, of a member of a guild or one of the servants of a feudal lord

a uniform worn by some menservants and chauffeurs

an individual or group that wears such a uniform

distinctive dress or outward appearance

the stabling, keeping, or hiring out of horses for money
(as modifier)a livery horse

at livery being kept in a livery stable

legal history an ancient method of conveying freehold land

Word Origin for livery

C14: via Anglo-French from Old French livrée allocation, from livrer to hand over, from Latin līberāre to set free

British Dictionary definitions for livery (2 of 2)

livery ²

/ (ˈlɪvərɪ) /

adjective

of or resembling liver

another word for liverish

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

livery

noun, plural liv·er·ies.

Origin of livery

Words nearby livery

Definition for livery (2 of 2)

adjective

Origin of livery

Example sentences from the Web for livery

British Dictionary definitions for livery (1 of 2)

noun plural -eries

Word Origin for livery

British Dictionary definitions for livery (2 of 2)

adjective

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

livery

noun, plural liv·er·ies.

Origin of livery

Words nearby livery

Definition for livery (2 of 2)

adjective

Origin of livery

Words related to livery

Example sentences from the Web for livery

British Dictionary definitions for livery (1 of 2)

noun plural -eries

Word Origin for livery

British Dictionary definitions for livery (2 of 2)

adjective