释义 |
liv·ery 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 |