LITMUSES

Noun

litmuses

plural of litmus

Source: Wiktionary


LITMUS

Lit"mus, n. Etym: [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.)

Definition: 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.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



RESET




Word of the Day

27 June 2024

SOLUTION

(noun) a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances; frequently (but not necessarily) a liquid solution; “he used a solution of peroxide and water”


coffee icon

Coffee Trivia

According to WorldAtlas, Canada is the only non-European country to make its top ten list of coffee consumers. The United States at a distant 25 on the list.

coffee icon