[f. as prec. + LIME sb.] A glutinous substance spread upon twigs, by which birds may be caught and held fast.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 50. Brydelyme, viscus.
1578. Lyte, Dodoens, 701. With the barkes of Holme they make Birdlyme.
1697. Phil. Trans., XIX. 368. It would draw out into long tough strings, like Bird-lime.
1863. Thornbury, True as Steel, II. 152. Love … is like birdlime; the more we struggle, the more entangled our wings get.
b. fig. and transf. Also attrib.
1562. A. Scott, N. Yere Gift. Kirk-mennis cursit substance semis sweet Till land-men, with that leud burd-lyme are knyttit.
1626. T. H., trans. Caussin’s Holy Crt., 86. O what a strong birdlyme is a benefit! All generous birdes are taken with it.
1705. Vanbrugh, Confeder., V. 2. That birdlime there stole it. Ibid., III. ii. My rogue of a Son has laid his birdlime fingers on it.
