English Explanatory Dictionary

litmus

English dictionary entry

Meanings

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

Pronunciation

/ˈlɪtməs/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-litmus.wav

Word forms

litmus litmuses

Etymology

From 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.

Synonyms

indicator lacmus

Related words

acidic alkaline pH Roccella tinctoria Roccella fuciformis Roccella pygmaea Roccella phycopsis Lecanora tartarea Variolaria dealbata Ochrolechia parella Ochrolechia tartarea Parmotrema tinctorum Parmelia Roccella montagnei Dendrographa leucophoea

Derived words

azolitmin litmus milk litmus paper litmus test
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