I. ˈliv(ə)rē, -ri noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English livere, from Old French livree, literally, distribution, delivery, from feminine of livré, past participle of livrer to deliver — more at liver
1. archaic : the apportioning of provisions especially to servants or the rations so given
2.
a. : the distinctive clothing or badge formerly given by a person of rank or wealth to be worn by his retainers especially in wartime service
b. : livery color 1
c. liveries plural , in Scottish heraldry : livery color 2a
d. : a servant's uniform
a chauffeur in livery
e. : distinctive dress (as of an organization, profession, occupation)
the livery of the guild members
the sisters wear a white habit and scapular with a black veil, the livery of St. Dominic — T.P.McCarthy
: clothes , garb , garments
if he can dress his endeavors in the livery of patriotism, … he can cover the scandals of his own character — J.A.Froude
f. : livery company
3. archaic
a. : one's retainers or retinue
b. : the members of a British livery company
4.
a. obsolete : the ration of provender given a horse
b. : the feeding, stabling, and care of horses for pay : boarding
c. : a stable keeping horses and usually carriages for hire
d. : a concern offering vehicles of any of various kinds for rent
a canoe livery
an automobile livery
a bicycle livery
5.
a. : the act of delivering legal possession of property (as lands or tenements) — compare grant 3a, livery of seizin
b. English law
(1) : the delivery of the possession of lands released from a court dealing with wardships
(2) : the writ by which such possession is obtained
II. adjective
1. : issued as livery
2. : constituting livery
a chauffeur's visored livery cap
3. : kept for hire
livery limousines
III. adjective
Etymology: liver (I) + -y
1.
a. : resembling liver
b. : suggesting liver disorder : liverish
he returned a captain, unwounded, but thin and yellow, with the livery look that confirmed the stories — Edna Ferber
2. : heavy , clinging, gummy — used of soil
heavy soil plows up in livery slices in winter — F.D.Smith & Barbara Wilcox
IV. noun
chiefly Britain : an identifying design (as on a vehicle) that designates ownership