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litmus test - 3 dictionary results

litmus test

–noun
1. Chemistry. the use of litmus paper or solution to test the acidity or alkalinity of a solution.
2. a crucial and revealing test in which there is one decisive factor.

Origin:
1955–60; so called from chemical tests in which litmus or litmus paper is an indicator
litmus test  
n.  
  1. A test for chemical acidity or basicity using litmus paper.
  2. A test that uses a single indicator to prompt a decision: "The word 'hopefully' has become the litmus test to determine whether one is a language snob or a language slob" (William Safire).

litmus test n.
A test for chemical acidity or basicity using litmus paper.

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