birdlime
pronunciation
How to pronounce birdlime in British English:
UK [ˈbɜ:dlaɪm]
How to pronounce birdlime in American English:
US [ˈbɜrdlaɪm]
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- Noun:
- a sticky adhesive that is smeared on small branches to capture small birds
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- Verb:
- spread birdlime on branches to catch birds
Word Origin
- birdlime (n.)
- viscous sticky stuff prepared from holly bark and used to catch small birds, mid-15c., from bird (n.1) + lime (n.1). Used as rhyming slang for time (especially time in prison) by 1857.