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View synonyms for litmus test

litmus test

noun

  1. Chemistry.,  the use of litmus paper or solution to test the acidity or alkalinity of a solution.

  2. a crucial and revealing test in which there is one decisive factor.



litmus test

noun

  1. a test to establish the acidity or alkalinity of a mixture

  2. a critical indication of future success or failure

“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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of litmus test1

First recorded in 1955–60; so called from chemical tests in which litmus or litmus paper is an indicator
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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The litmus tests for continuing negotiations over the summer was proof China was indeed allowing the flow of critical minerals.

Read more on Barron's

Bill Halldin, a spokesman for Bank of America, said “we serve more than 70 million clients, and we welcome conservatives. We never close accounts for political reasons and don’t have a political litmus test.”

With Week 1 as a litmus test, the dynamic looked much improved, thanks to another year of bonding with Johnston and Ladd McConkey and the added reliability of a returning Keenan Allen.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The clearest emerging litmus test is opposition to sending offensive weapons, but other issues could loom large in Democratic primaries, including recognizing a Palestinian state and allowing international investigations of Israeli war crimes.

Read more on Salon

“It’s such an important litmus test for me. People would come over and be like, ‘uhh,’” she said of previous dates.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

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