litmus

Meaning

Noun

  • A dyestuff extracted from certain lichens, that changes color when exposed to pH levels greater than or less than certain critical levels.
  • A simple test of acidity in a liquid using litmus, usually in the form of litmus paper.
  • A simple test of any attribute; a litmus test.

Related

Similar words

Origin

  • From Middle English litmose, lytmose, litemose, from Old Norse litmosi ("moss used for dyeing"), from lita, from litr, from Proto-Germanic *wlitiz, *wlituz, from Proto-Indo-European *wel- ("to see") + mosi. Cognate with Old English wlite ("appearance, form, brightness, countenance"). More at moss.

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