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},… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
litmus — blue dye stuff obtained from certain lichens, early 14c., from M.Du. lijkmoes (Du. lakmoes), from lac (see LAC (Cf. lac)) + moes pulp. Another theory is that it represents O.N. litmose, lit. lichen for dying, from O.N. lita to dye, to stain, from … Etymology dictionary
litmus — m. Sustancia extraída de ciertos líquenes, con la que se prepara la tintura de *tornasol a la que comunica la cualidad de volverse roja por la acción de los ácidos … Enciclopedia Universal
litmus — ► NOUN ▪ a dye obtained from certain lichens that is red under acid conditions and blue under alkaline conditions. ORIGIN from Old Norse words meaning dye and moss … English terms dictionary
litmus — [lit′məs] n. [ON litmose, lichen used in dyeing < litr, color (akin to Goth wlits, face < IE * witu , appearance < base * wel , to see > L voltus, expression, Welsh gweled, to see) + mosi, MOSS] a purple coloring matter obtained from… … English World dictionary
litmus — /lit meuhs/, n. a blue coloring matter obtained from certain lichens, esp. Roccella tinctoria. In alkaline solution litmus turns blue, in acid solution, red: widely used as a chemical indicator. [1495 1505; earlier lytmos < ON litmosi dye moss,… … Universalium
litmus — noun Etymology: Middle English litmose, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse litmosi herbs used in dyeing, from litr color (akin to Old English wlite brightness, appearance) + mosi moss; akin to Old English mōs moss Date: 14th century 1. a… … New Collegiate Dictionary
litmus — noun a) A dyestuff extracted from certain lichens, that changes color when exposed to pH levels greater than or less than certain critical levels. b) A simple test of acidity in a liquid using litmus, usually in the form of litmus paper. Syn:… … Wiktionary
litmus — /ˈlɪtməs / (say litmuhs) noun a colouring substance obtained from certain lichens, especially Roccella tinctoria. In alkaline solution litmus turns blue, in acid solution red; hence it is widely used as an indicator, especially in the form of… …
litmus — n. a dye obtained from lichens that is red under acid conditions and blue under alkaline conditions. Phrases and idioms: litmus paper a paper stained with litmus to be used as a test for acids or alkalis. Etymology: ME f. ONorw. litmosi f. ON… … Useful english dictionary
