Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Birdlime
Bird′limeˊ
,Noun.
[
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.
Not
A more tenacious mass of clammy juice.
birdlime
or Idean pitch produceA more tenacious mass of clammy juice.
Dryden.
☞ Birdlime is also made from mistletoe, elder, etc.
Bird′limeˊ
,Verb.
T.
To smear with birdlime; to catch with birdlime; to insnare.
When the heart is thus
birdlimed
, then it cleaves to everything it meets with. Coodwin.
Definition 2024
birdlime
birdlime
See also: bird-lime
English
Noun
birdlime (uncountable)
- A sticky substance smeared on branches to catch birds.
- (rhyming slang) Time; a jail term, the serving of a prison sentence.
Translations
sticky substance to catch birds
|
serving of a prison sentence — see time
Verb
birdlime (third-person singular simple present birdlimes, present participle birdliming, simple past and past participle birdlimed)
- (transitive) to add birdlime to
Translations
add birdlime
|