livery-stable
Definition
Noun: - A "livery-stable" is a stable where horses are kept for hire, or where owners can board their horses for a fee. Historically, it was a commercial establishment that provided accommodation and care for horses, often including the rental of horses and carriages.
Usage Examples
- (He hired a horse from a stable that offers horses for temporary use.)
- (The building that once housed horses for hire is now a dining establishment.)
Advanced Usage
- "to keep a horse at a livery-stable": to pay a stable to house and care for one's horse.
- The wealthy merchant kept his prized stallion at a livery-stable in the city. (He paid for the horse's boarding and care.)
Variants and Related Words
Livery (n): a special uniform worn by servants or officials, or the keeping of horses for hire.
- The coachman wore the family's livery. (He wore the uniform that identified him as belonging to a particular household.)
Stable (n): a building where horses are housed and cared for.
- The horses were led into the stable for the night. (They were taken to their shelter.)
Synonyms
- Horse-hire stable: a stable that rents out horses.
- Boarding stable: a stable where horse owners can pay for their horses' care.
Related Idioms
- "Stable as a livery-stable": a rare idiom meaning something is very secure or well-maintained, though not commonly used.
- His business was as stable as a livery-stable, always reliable. (His enterprise was dependable and well-organized.)