litmus
A dyestuff extracted from certain lichens, that changes color when exposed to pH…A dyestuff extracted from certain lichens, that changes color when exposed to pH levels greater than or less than certain critical levels.
» These elections will be a litmus test for the government.
Эти выборы станут лакмусовой бумажкой для правительства.
Meaning
3 senses(uncountable)A dyestuff extracted from certain lichens, that changes color when exposed to pH levels greater than or less than certain critical levels.
Lackmus
ла́кмусlákmus
(countable, uncountable)A simple test of acidity in a liquid using litmus, usually in the form of litmus paper.
(countable, uncountable)A simple test of any attribute; a litmus test.
- a coloring material (obtained from lichens) that turns red in acid solutions and blue in alkaline solutions; used as a very rough acid-base indicator
Examples
2 sentencesThese elections will be a litmus test for the government.
ruЭти выборы станут лакмусовой бумажкой для правительства. — odexed
Since primary school we've been checking for the qualities known as acidity and alkalinity with litmus paper.
Translations
8 languagesBy meaning 1
By meaning 1
Origin
From Middle English litmose, lytmose, litemose, from Old Norse litmosi (“moss used for dyeFrom Middle English litmose, lytmose, litemose, from Old Norse litmosi (“moss used for dyeing”), from lita (“to dye, stain”) + mosi (“moss”), the former from litr (“colour, dye, blee”), from Proto-Germanic *wlitiz, *wlituz (“appearance, blee”), from Proto-Indo-European *wel- (“to see”). Cognate with Old English wlite (“appearance, form, brightness, countenance”). More at moss.
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Forms
plural: litmusesSynonyms
3 synonyms- a coloring material (obtained from lichens) that turns red in acid solutions and blue in alkaline solutions; used as a very rough acid-base indicator:litmus test
Word family
6 related wordsLessons for this word
1 lessons- A1Countable and uncountable nouns — Because it can be uncountable