Part 743

Chaucer.

From the periodical deliveries of these characteristic articles of servile costume (blue coats) came our word livery.

De Quincey.

(d) Hence, any characteristic dress or outward appearance. " April's livery." Sir P. Sidney.

Now came still evening on, and twilight gray Had in her sober livery all things clad.

Milton.

(e) An allowance of food statedly given out; a ration, as 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 pots, and white wine, and sugar.

Cavendish.

(f) The feeding, stabling, and care of horses for compensation; boarding; as, to keep one's horses at livery.

What livery is, we by common use in England know well enough, namely, that is, allowance of horse meat, as to keep horses at livery, the which word, I guess, is derived of livering or delivering forth their nightly food.

Spenser.

It need hardly be observed that the explanation of livery which Spenser offers is perfectly correct, but . . . it is no longer applied to the ration or stated portion of food delivered at stated periods.

Trench.

(g) The keeping of horses in readiness to be hired temporarily for riding or driving; the state of being so kept.

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

Lowell.

4. A low grade of wool.

Livery gown, the gown worn by a liveryman in London.

Liv"er*y, v. t. To clothe in, or as in, livery. Shak.

Liv"er*y*man (?), n.; pl. Liverymen (&?;). 1. One who wears a livery, as a servant.

2. A freeman of the city, in London, who, having paid certain fees, is entitled to wear the distinguishing dress or livery of the company to which he belongs, and also to enjoy certain other privileges, as the right of voting in an election for the lord mayor, sheriffs, chamberlain, etc.

3. One who keeps a livery stable.

Liv"er*y sta`ble (?). A stable where horses are kept for hire, and where stabling is provided. See Livery, n., 3 (e) (f) & (g).

Lives (lvz), n.; pl. of Life.

Lives (lvz), a. & adv. [Orig. a genitive sing. of life.] Alive; living; with life. [Obs.] " Any lives creature." Chaucer.

Liv"id (lv"d), a. [L. lividus, from livere to be of a blush color, to be black and blue: cf. F. livide.] Black and blue; grayish blue; of a lead color; discolored, as flesh by contusion. Cowper.

There followed no carbuncles, no purple or livid spots, the mass of the blood not being tainted.