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.