lime twig

noun

1. a twig smeared with birdlime to catch birds.
2. a snare or trap.

Word History and Origins

Origin of lime twig¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50

Example Sentences

Lime′-burn′er, one who burns limestone to form lime; Lime′kiln, a kiln or furnace in which limestone is burned to lime; Lime′-light, or Calcium-light, light produced by a blowpipe-flame directed against a block of pure, compressed quicklime; Lime′stone, stone from which lime is procured by burning; Lime′twig, a twig smeared with bird-lime: a snare; Lime′wash, a coating given with a solution of lime; Lime′wa′ter, a saturated aqueous solution of lime.—adjs.

From Project Gutenberg

I thought the lime twig would not release the bird again.

From Project Gutenberg

No. The lime twig's merely for appearances.

From Project Gutenberg