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.
Not birdlime or Idean pitch produce
A more tenacious mass of clammy juice.
Dryden.
⇒ Birdlime is also made from mistletoe, elder, etc.
© Webster 1913.
Bird"lime`, v. 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.
© Webster 1913.