n. & v.
n. 1 (in full quicklime) a white caustic alkaline substance (calcium oxide) obtained by heating limestone and used for making mortar or as a fertilizer or bleach etc. 2 = BIRDLIME.
v.tr. 1 treat (wood, skins, land, etc.) with lime. 2 archaic catch (a bird etc.) with birdlime. lime water an aqueous solution of calcium hydroxide used esp. to detect the presence of carbon dioxide. limeless adj. limy adj. (limier, limiest).
[ OE lim f. Gmc, rel. to LOAM ]