litmus Hear it!

litmus definition

lit·mus (lit′məs)

noun

a purple coloring matter obtained from various lichens and used as an acid-base indicator in chemical analysis: it turns blue in bases and red in acids

Etymology: ON litmose, lichen used in dyeing < litr, color (akin to Goth wlits, face < IE *wtu-, appearance < base *wel-, to see > L voltus, expression, Welsh gweled, to see) + mosi, moss

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.
Related Discussions (1)
TopicRepliesLatest Post
litmus test33 years ago

Browse Forums