livery

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   Any distinctive identifying uniform worn by a group, such as the uniform worn by chauffeurs and male servants.

   And while the moralist, who is holding forth on the cover ( an accurate portrait of your humble servant), professes to wear neither gown nor bands, but only the very same long-eared livery in which his congregation is arrayed: yet, look you, one is bound to speak the truth as far as one knows it, whether one mounts a cap and bells or a shovel hat; and a deal of disagreeable matter must come out in the course of such an undertaking.

2. 2
   noun

   The paint scheme of a vehicle or fleet of vehicles.

   The airline's new livery received a mixed reaction from the press.

3. 3
   noun

   The rental of horses or carriages; the rental of canoes; the care and/or boarding of horses for money.

   […] Pegasus does not stand at livery even at the largest establishment in Moorfields.

4. 4
   noun

   An allowance of food; a ration, as given out to a family, to servants, to horses, etc.

   The emperor's officers every night went through the town from house to house whereat any English gentleman did repast or lodge, and served their liveries for all night: first, the officers brought into the house a cast of fine manchet [white bread], and of silver two great post, and white wine, and sugar.

From Middle English livery, liveree, from Anglo-Norman liveree, from Old French livree. Compare modern French livrée.

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