LIVERY

(Fr. livree.) A word derived, probably, from the clothes delivered by masters to their servants, in which sense it still continues to be used. At tournaments the cavaliers used to distinguish themselves by wearing the livery or badge of their mistre es; and persons of distinction formerly gave liveries to persons unconnected with their own household or family, to engage them in their quarrels for the time being. The liverymen of London are a number of men belonging to the freemen of the ninety-one companies, which embrace the different trades of the metropolis; and are so called because they are entitled to wear the livery of their respective companies. By this body are elected the common-councilmen, sheriffs, aldermen, and some other superior officers of the city; and, down to the pa ing of the Reform Bill in 1832, they had the exclusive privilege of voting at the election of members of parliament. [s. 684]