litmus

[ lit-muhs ]

/ ˈlɪt məs /

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noun

a blue coloring matter obtained from certain lichens, especially Roccella tinctoria. In alkaline solution litmus turns blue, in acid solution, red: widely used as a chemical indicator.

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Origin of litmus

1495–1505; earlier lytmos<Old Norse litmosi dye-moss, equivalent to lit- color, dye + mosi moss

Words nearby litmus

litigate, litigation, litigation friend, litigator, litigious, litmus, litmus paper, litmus test, litotes, litre, Litt. B.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use litmus in a sentence

Aaronson figured it would be much easier to solve the system minus one of the 11 rules—leaving a “Collatz-like” system, a litmus test for the larger goal.
Are computers ready to solve this notoriously unwieldy math problem?|Siobhan Roberts|July 2, 2021|MIT Technology Review
Such litmus tests have not applied in Democratic races this year.
Democratic establishment tightens its hold on the party as far-left candidates fall short|Michael Scherer, Gregory S. Schneider, David Weigel|June 10, 2021|Washington Post
Cohorts identify these user traits without compromising the user’s privacy, passing a critical litmus test for any viable targeting or measurement solution as programmatic marketing moves toward the post-cookie era.
Programmatic Marketing Summit Recap: Marketers brace for more unknowns amid industry-wide identity shifts|Sara Jerde|June 3, 2021|Digiday
The problem with this particular litmus test is, it’s not about policy and it’s anti-democratic.
Is There No Place For Liz Cheney In The Modern GOP?|Sarah Frostenson (sarah.frostenson@abc.com)|May 5, 2021|FiveThirtyEight

Political parties have had plenty of litmus tests over the decades — positions you almost have to have to be a member in good standing.
Is There No Place For Liz Cheney In The Modern GOP?|Sarah Frostenson (sarah.frostenson@abc.com)|May 5, 2021|FiveThirtyEight
Again, that pre-communion questionnaire sin litmus test might prove handy.
The Great Divide Facing Pope Francis That Only Catholics Understand|Barbie Latza Nadeau|September 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Applying an ideological litmus test for commencement speakers is not a good idea.
Class of 2014, Prepare to Be Powerless|Kevin Bleyer|May 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But when did they become the litmus test of competence in office?
100 Years of Right (And Left) Moves|Robert Shrum|March 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
So they are a litmus paper for wider fertility—not a significant driver of Israeli birthrates.
Israel’s Sperm Clinic Crisis|Alastair Sloan|March 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Opposition to the Affordable Care Act in toto might linger as a litmus test for conservatives.
Everything is Obamacare!|Jamelle Bouie|March 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The solution of lead must contain acid; and if by keeping it does not change litmus-paper, acid must be added till it does.
Notes and Queries, Number 178, March 26, 1853|Various
The blue litmus paper became red showing the presence of an acid.
Some Constituents of the Poison Ivy Plant: (Rhus Toxicodendron)|William Anderson Syme
When the small residue was completely dry, it was a yellow solid soluble in dilute alcohol and acid to litmus.
Some Constituents of the Poison Ivy Plant: (Rhus Toxicodendron)|William Anderson Syme
Vapors and liquid were given off, both of which turned red litmus blue and had a strong odor like tobacco smoke.
Some Constituents of the Poison Ivy Plant: (Rhus Toxicodendron)|William Anderson Syme
This is an indicator for bases and acids, like litmus, but it is less sensitive to hydroxide-ion than is litmus.
The Elements of Qualitative Chemical Analysis, vol. 1, parts 1 and 2.|Julius Stieglitz

British Dictionary definitions for litmus

litmus

/ (ˈlɪtməs) /

noun

a soluble powder obtained from certain lichens. It turns red under acid conditions and blue under basic conditions and is used as an indicator

Word Origin for litmus

C16: perhaps from Scandinavian; compare Old Norse litmosi, from litr dye + mosi moss

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for litmus

litmus

[ lĭt′məs ]

A colored powder, obtained from certain lichens, that changes to red in an acid solution and to blue in an alkaline solution. Litmus is a mixture of various closely related heterocyclic organic compounds.♦ Litmus is typically added to paper to make litmus paper, which can be used to determine whether a solution is basic or acidic by dipping a strip of the paper into the solution and seeing how the paper changes color.

Cultural definitions for litmus

litmus

[ (lit-muhs) ]

In chemistry, a kind of paper used to tell whether a solution is an acid or a base. Acids turn blue litmus paper red; bases turn red litmus paper blue. Other testing paper or sophisticated instruments can be used to measure the pH of a solution more precisely.

notes for litmus

The term litmus is often used to refer to a general and simple test: “Your vote on this issue is a litmus test of your political philosophy.”