A distinctive uniform or dress, especially of servants, or the care and feeding of horses for pay.
From Old French livrée (delivered, handed over), from livrer (to deliver), from Latin liberare. Originally referred to provisions delivered to servants, then extended to the uniforms identifying them as household members.
Medieval livery was essentially an early form of branding - lords would 'deliver' distinctive clothing to their servants to show ownership and allegiance. The horse-care meaning developed because livery stables 'delivered' feed and care, making them the medieval equivalent of full-service garages.
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