v. Obs. or arch. [f. BE- 6 + LIME sb.]
1. trans. To cover as with bird-lime.
1555. Fardle Facions, Pref. 12. When he … had with all kinde of wickednes belimed ye 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. It [this world] is very birdlime, 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!
