It concerned them first to sue out their livery from the unjust
wardship of his encroaching prerogative.
Milton.
3. That which is delivered out statedly or formally, as clothing, food,
etc.; especially: (a) The uniform clothing issued by feudal superiors
to their retainers and serving as a badge when in military service. (b)
The peculiar dress by which the servants of a nobleman or gentleman are
distinguished; as, a claret-colored livery. (c) Hence, also, the
peculiar dress or garb appropriated by any association or body of
persons to their own use; as, the livery of the London tradesmen, of a
priest, of a charity school, etc.; also, the whole body or company of
persons wearing such a garb, and entitled to the privileges of the
association; as, the whole livery of London.
A Haberdasher and a Carpenter, A Webbe, a Dyer, and a Tapicer, And
they were clothed all in one livery Of a solempne and a gret
fraternite.
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.