subs. (old).—1. A snare; a trick. Hence (2) any means of swindling. Also as adj.
1592. NASHE, Pierce Penilesse, His Supplication to the Divell [GROSART (1885), ii. 24]. Thus walks hee vp and downe … and … busies himselfe in setting siluer LIME TWIGS to entangle yoong Gentlemen.
1592. GREENE, The Blacke Bookes Messenger [GROSART (1881–6), xi. 7]. The cards to be called, the LIME TWIGS.
1606. The Return from Parnassus, i., 4 [DODSLEY, Old Plays, 1874, ii. 125]. Let us run through all the lewd forms of LIME-TWIG, purloining villanies.
1670. RAY, Proverbs [BOHN (1893), 160]. His fingers are LIME TWIGS. Spoken of a thievish person.
