n
any of the ancient City of London guilds (= associations of business people or skilled workers), each with their own special livery (= uniforms). Guilds of traders selling the same goods or services were once very powerful in London, and modern livery companies are descended from them. There are over a hundred of them, including the Grocers, the Drapers, the Fishmongers and the Goldsmiths. Members of each company meet together for social occasions and for charity work.
See also Guildhall .