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litmus |
2 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Litmus \Lit"mus\, n. [D. lakmoes lak lacker + moes a thick preparation of fruit, pap, prob. akin to E. meat: cf G. lackmus. See {Lac} a resinous substance.] (Chem.) A dyestuff extracted from certain lichens ({Roccella tinctoria}, {Lecanora tartarea}, etc.), as a blue amorphous mass which consists of a compound of the alkaline carbonates with certain coloring matters related to orcin and orcein. Note: Litmus is used as a dye, and being turned red by acids and restored to its blue color by alkalies, is a common indicator or test for acidity and alkalinity. {Litmus paper} (Chem.), unsized paper saturated with blue or red litmus, -- used in testing for acids or alkalies. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: litmus n 1: a coloring material that turns red in acid solutions and blue in alkaline solutions; used as an acid-base indicator 2: absorbent paper full of litmus; it is turned red by acids and blue by alkalis [syn: {litmus paper}]
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