BIRDLIME

birdlime, lime

(noun) a sticky adhesive that is smeared on small branches to capture small birds

birdlime, lime

(verb) spread birdlime on branches to catch birds

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

birdlime (uncountable)

A sticky substance smeared on branches to catch birds.

(rhyming slang) Time; a jail term, the serving of a prison sentence.

Verb

birdlime (third-person singular simple present birdlimes, present participle birdliming, simple past and past participle birdlimed)

(transitive) To add birdlime to.

Source: Wiktionary

Bird"lime`, n. Etym: [Bird + lime viscous substance.]

Definition: An extremely adhesive viscid substance, usually made of the middle bark of the holly, by boiling, fermenting, and cleansing it. When a twig is smeared with this substance it will hold small birds which may light upon it. Hence: Anything which insnares. Not birdlime or Idean pitch produce A more tenacious mass of clammy juice. Dryden.

Note: Birdlime is also made from mistletoe, elder, etc.

Bird"lime`, v. t. T

Definition: o smear with birdlime; to catch with birdlime; to insnare. When the heart is thus birdlimed, then it cleaves to everything it meets with. Coodwin.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition