birdlime

3 definitions found

birdlime - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Birdlime \Bird"lime`\, n. [Bird + lime viscous substance.]
     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.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           Not birdlime or Idean pitch produce
           A more tenacious mass of clammy juice.   --Dryden.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: Birdlime is also made from mistletoe, elder, etc.
           [1913 Webster]

  Birdlime \Bird"lime`\, v. t.
     To smear with birdlime; to catch with birdlime; to insnare.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           When the heart is thus birdlimed, then it cleaves to
           everything it meets with.                --Coodwin.
     [1913 Webster]

birdlime - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  birdlime
      n 1: a sticky adhesive that is smeared on small branches to
           capture small birds [syn: birdlime, lime]
      v 1: spread birdlime on branches to catch birds [syn:
           birdlime, lime]