51Թ

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View synonyms for

birdlime

[ burd-lahym ]

noun

  1. a sticky material prepared from holly, mistletoe, or other plants, and smeared on twigs to catch small birds that light on it.


verb (used with object)

birdlimed, birdliming.
  1. to smear with birdlime.
  2. to catch or capture, as with birdlime:

    to be birdlimed by flattery.

birdlime

/ ˈɜːˌɪ /

noun

  1. a sticky substance, prepared from holly, mistletoe, or other plants, smeared on twigs to catch small birds
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. tr to smear (twigs) with birdlime to catch (small birds)
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of birdlime1

First recorded in 1400–50, birdlime is from the late Middle English word brydelyme. See bird, lime 2
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The birdlime had entangled a few queleas and a mouse that had been attracted by their fluttering.

From

Without the peregrine falcons to keep them in check, they were so numerous that the courthouse windows and ledges were white with birdlime.

From

Not birdlime or Idean pitch produce A more tenacious mass of clammy juice.

From

"You took a flat stick and applied birdlime to the top, and drew the money out through the chink, you rogue," said his holiness, severely.

From

Oh, what unutterable corruption sticks, like birdlime, to all our motives, all our thoughts, all our words, all our actions!

From

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