Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Livelihood \Live"li*hood\, n. [Lively + -hood.]
   Liveliness; appearance of life. [Obs.] --Shak.

Livelihood \Live"li*hood\, n. [OE. livelode, liflode, prop.,
   course of life, life's support, maintenance, fr. AS. l[=i]f
   life + l[=a]d road, way, maintenance. Confused with
   livelihood liveliness. See {Life}, and {Lode}.]
   Subsistence or living, as dependent on some means of support;
   support of life; maintenance.

         The opportunities of gaining an honest livelihood.
                                                  --Addison.

         It is their profession and livelihood to get their
         living by practices for which they deserve to forfeit
         their lives.                             --South.

Source : WordNet®

livelihood
     n : the financial means whereby one lives; "each child was
         expected to pay for their keep"; "he applied to the state
         for support"; "he could no longer earn his own
         livelihood" [syn: {support}, {keep}, {living}, {bread and
         butter}, {sustenance}]