liveryman

liveryman — noun

1. a member of a historic trade guild in London known as a livery company, who has

1.名詞C2
釋義

a member of a historic trade guild in London known as a livery company, who has the right to attend ceremonies and vote in elections.

例句

Every year the liverymen gather at Guildhall to elect the next Lord Mayor of London.

collocation: gather at Guildhall to elect

Charlotte's grandfather became a liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers in 1952.

同義詞
  • guildsman

    A member of any trade guild; broader and less formal, not specific to London

  • freeman

    A person who holds the Freedom of the City; being a freeman is a necessary step before becoming a liveryman

用法筆記

This sense is specific to the City of London's livery companies, many of which trace their origins to medieval trade guilds. The term is rarely used outside this British institutional context.

常見錯誤

❌He is a liveryman of the carpenters' union.
✅He is a liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Carpenters.
💡Livery companies are specific historic guilds in the City of London, not modern trade unions.

2. a servant or attendant employed by a wealthy household or institution, who wears

2.名詞C2
釋義

a servant or attendant employed by a wealthy household or institution, who wears a distinctive uniform (livery) as part of their job.

例句

The duke employed six liverymen to serve at formal dinners and garden parties.

employ + liverymen to serve at events

A liveryman stood at the entrance of the grand hotel, opening the door for guests.

同義詞
  • footman

    A specific type of liveried servant who attends at doors, tables, and carriages

  • retainer

    A general term for a long-serving household employee, not necessarily one who wears a uniform

用法筆記

This usage is largely historical; liveried servants are now very rare outside of ceremonial contexts such as royal households.

3. a person who owns or runs a business that hires out vehicles, especially horse-d

3.名詞C2
釋義

a person who owns or runs a business that hires out vehicles, especially horse-drawn carriages or cars.

例句

Before cars became common, every town had a liveryman who rented out horse-drawn carriages.

rented out horse-drawn carriages

Tariq rented a pony from the liveryman for the afternoon ride through the park.

同義詞
  • stable keeper

    Specifically refers to someone who looks after horses for hire; a narrower role

  • hire-car operator

    A modern equivalent for vehicle rental, though not historical in tone

用法筆記

This sense originally referred to the keeper of a livery stable (where horses were kept for hire). In modern use it can extend to car rental businesses, though this is rare.