ˈlīvlēˌhu̇d, -vliˌ- noun
Etymology: alteration (influenced by lively (I) & -hood ) of Middle English livlod, livelode course of life, livelihood, from Old English līflād course of life, from līf life + lād course, journey — more at life , lode
1. : means of support or subsistence
even then I had a low opinion of politics as a livelihood — W.A.White
for almost 30 years the inhabitants … have obtained their livelihood from granite — American Guide Series: Minnesota
by canny foraging on farm gardens, the rabbit still maintains a comfortable livelihood — American Guide Series: Virginia
2. obsolete : income-producing property : estate , patrimony
3.
[ lively (I) + -hood ]
obsolete : liveliness
Synonyms: see living