Lexic.us

Definition of Litmus test

1. Noun. 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.

2. Noun. A test that relies on a single indicator. "Her litmus test for good breeding is whether you split infinitives"

Definition of Litmus test

1. Noun. (chemistry) A simple test for the acidity or alkalinity of a substance, using litmus paper. ¹

2. Noun. (figuratively by extension) Any test which produces a decisive result by measuring a single indicator. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Lexicographical Neighbors of Litmus Test

litigated litigates litigating litigation litigations litigator litigators litigious litigious paranoia litigiously

litigiousness litigiousnesses liting litmus litmus paper litmus test (current term) litmus tests litmuses litogen litogens

litoptern litopterns litoral litorin litote litotes litotic litotical litotically litra

Literary usage of Litmus test

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Nature and Properties of Soils: A College Text of Edaphology by Thomas Lyttleton Lyon, Harry Oliver Buckman (1922)
"The zinc-sulfide test is much more striking than the litmus test and thus is more ... The zinc sulfide test is not as rapid as the litmus test, nor is it a ..."

2. An Introduction to the Study of Chemistry by Ira Remsen (1901)
"litmus test for Acids and Alkalies.—The most common acids are sulphuric, hydrochloric, and nitric acids. Among the more common bases are caustic soda, ..."

3. Notes on Military Explosives by Erasmus Morgan Weaver (1917)
"In the litmus test the time is noted that is required to redden a litmus-test paper by fumes of N02. In the Army 115° C. test the rate of loss of weight of ..."

4. Notes on Military Explosives by Erasmus Morgan Weaver (1912)
"One known as the potassium-iodide-starch test, another as the litmus test, or 135° C. test, or German test; and the third as the US Ordnance 115° C. ..."

5. Principles and Practice of Milk Hygiene by Louis Amos Klein (1917)
"DETERMINATION OF THE REACTION litmus test. ... The litmus test is only of value as a preliminary test for individual milk. Mann's Acidity Test. ..."

6. The Indiana School Journal by Indiana State Teachers Association (1857)
"When dry, preserve these strips in a box labeled "blue litmus test papers. ... When dry, thia "red litmus test paper" serves to indicate the presence of ..."

7. Fertilizers and Crops: Or, The Science and Practice of Plant-feeding; a by Lucius Lincoln Van Slyke (1912)
"These two tests are the litmus test and the ammonia test, (i) litmus test for soil acidity.—Litmus paper that is either blue or neutral is turned red by ..."

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