† beˈlime, v. Obs. or arch.
[f. be- 6 + lime n.]
1. trans. To cover as with bird-lime.
| 1555 Fardle Facions Pref. 12 When he..had with all kinde of wickednes belimed y⊇ world. a 1656 Bp. Hall Wks. (1661) II. 301 Ye whose foul hands are belimed with bribery. |
2. To entangle as with bird-lime; to ensnare.
| 1601 Dent Pathw. Heauen 83 This world..is very bird⁓lime, which doth so belime our affectiones, that they cannot ascend vpward. 1651 Hobbes Leviath. i. iv. 15 As a bird in lime-twiggs; the more he struggles, the more belimed. a 1674 Clarendon Surv. Leviath. (1676) 289 Where he found it necessary for his own purpose, sometimes to perplex and belime his Readers. |
¶ Used for Ger. leimen to glue.
| 1875 B. Taylor Faust I. vi. 105 Oh be then so good With sweat and with blood The crown to belime! |