livery

1
[ liv-uh-ree, liv-ree ]
See synonyms for livery on Thesaurus.com
noun,plural liv·er·ies.
  1. a distinctive uniform, badge, or device formerly provided by someone of rank or title for his retainers, as in time of war.

  2. a uniform worn by servants.

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

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

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

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

  5. a company that rents out automobiles, boats, etc.

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

Origin of livery

1
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English livere, from Anglo-French, equivalent to Old French livree “allowance (of food, clothing, etc.),” noun use of feminine past participle of livrer “to give over,” from Latin līberāre; see liberate

Words Nearby livery

Other definitions for livery (2 of 2)

livery2
[ liv-uh-ree ]

adjective

Origin of livery

2
First recorded in 1770–80; liver1 + -y1

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use livery in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for livery (1 of 2)

livery1

/ (ˈlɪvərɪ) /


nounplural -eries
  1. the identifying uniform, badge, etc, of a member of a guild or one of the servants of a feudal lord

  2. a uniform worn by some menservants and chauffeurs

  1. an individual or group that wears such a uniform

  2. distinctive dress or outward appearance

    • the stabling, keeping, or hiring out of horses for money

    • (as modifier): a livery horse

  3. at livery being kept in a livery stable

  4. legal history an ancient method of conveying freehold land

Origin of livery

1
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)

livery2

/ (ˈlɪvərɪ) /


adjective
  1. of or resembling liver

  2. another word for liverish

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012