LIVERY


Meaning of LIVERY in English

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

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.