Hypertext Webster Gateway: "birdlime"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
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.
Not birdlime or Idean pitch produce A more tenacious
mass of clammy juice. --Dryden.
Note: Birdlime is also made from mistletoe, elder, etc.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Birdlime \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.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
birdlime
n : a sticky adhesive that is smeared on small branches to
capture small birds [syn: {lime}]
v : spread birdlime on branches to catch birds [syn: {lime}]
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