livery

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noun liv·ery \ˈli-və-rē, ˈliv-rē\

Definition of livery

plural

1 archaic : the apportioning of provisions especially to servants : allowance
2a : the distinctive clothing or badge formerly worn by the retainers (see ¹retainer 1) of a person of rankb : a servant's uniformc : distinctive dress : garb a nun's traditional liveryd chiefly British : an identifying design (as on a vehicle) that designates ownership
3 archaic a : one's retainers or retinueb : the members of a British livery company
4 : the act of delivering legal possession of property
5a : the feeding, stabling, and care of horses for payb : livery stablec : a concern offering vehicles (such as boats) for rent a canoe livery an automobile livery

the limousine chauffeur was easily distinguished from the cab drivers by his livery

Middle English, from Anglo-French liveree, livree, literally, delivery, from liverer to deliver, from Latin liberare to free — more at liberate

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First Known Use: 14th century

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adjective liv·ery

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First Known Use: 1594

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noun

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noun liv·ery \ˈli-və-rē, ˈliv-rē\

plural

1 : a special uniform worn by the servants of a wealthy household
2 : the business of keeping horses and vehicles for hire : a place (livery stable) that keeps horses and vehicles for hire