/luyv"lee hood'/ , n.
a means of supporting one's existence, esp. financially or vocationally; living: to earn a livelihood as a tenant farmer.
[ bef. 1000; earlier liveliod, livelihod, alter. (by reanalysis as LIVELY + HOOD; cf. obs. livelihood liveliness) of ME livelod, OE liflad conduct of life, way of life (see LIFE, LODE, LOAD) ]
Syn . sustenance, subsistence. See living .