birdlime Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a sticky adhesive that is smeared on small branches to capture small birds
lime.
verb spread birdlime on branches to catch birds
lime.

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 birdlime or Idean pitch produce A more tenacious mass of clammy juice. Dryden.
✍ Birdlime is also made from mistletoe, elder, etc.

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.