Livery
'lɪvəri
Definitions
3 meaningsA distinctive uniform, especially one worn by the servants or employees of a particular household, organization, or company.
'lɪvəri
A special uniform worn by a servant or employee.
The chauffeur wore the company's livery.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're at a fancy hotel, and the people who help you, like the bellhops and waiters, are all wearing the same special outfit. That outfit is called a livery. It helps you know who works there!
👶 For kids: A special uniform that workers wear so you know who they are and where they work.
More Examples
The hotel staff wore the hotel's distinctive livery.
The airline's flight attendants are easily recognized by their livery.
How It's Used
"The royal family's servants wore an elaborate livery to identify their allegiance."
"The hotel staff were dressed in a smart livery."
"The coachmen of the stagecoach wore the livery of the transportation company."
The care and stabling of horses for a fee.
'lɪvəri
The keeping of horses for hire or the boarding of horses.
He took his horse to the local livery to be stabled.
💡 Simply: Imagine a place where you can leave your horse to be taken care of, like a hotel for horses! That place is called a livery.
👶 For kids: A place where people keep horses and take care of them.
More Examples
The livery provided training and care for the horses.
The estate's horses were kept in a well-maintained livery.
How It's Used
"In the old days, livery stables were a common sight in towns."
"She kept her horses at a livery."
The distinctive design and color scheme of a company's vehicles, buildings, or products.
'lɪvəri
A company or organization's uniform or a sign that represents them.
The racing car's livery included sponsor logos.
💡 Simply: When you see a company's cars or buildings all painted in the same colors and designs, that's their livery. It's like their special look!
👶 For kids: The special colors or design that a company uses on its cars or buildings.
More Examples
The ship's livery indicated its owner.
The new livery of the bus company was more modern.
How It's Used
"The train's livery was a distinctive shade of blue."
"The airline updated its livery to reflect its new brand identity."
Idioms & expressions
to take livery
To be employed as a servant or retainer, particularly in a household.
"He was compelled to take livery with a wealthy merchant."
From Middle English *livree*, from Old French *livrée* ('delivery, allowance'), ultimately from Latin *liberare* ('to deliver, liberate'). Originally referred to the distribution of supplies, later evolving to include the distinctive uniform of servants or retainers.
Historically, livery referred to the allowances of food and clothing given to servants or retainers. The term then evolved to represent the uniform itself.
Memory tip
Think of a 'live' person wearing a 'very' distinct outfit – the livery.