| litmus test | |
| —n | |
| 1. | a test to establish the acidity or alkalinity of a mixture |
| 2. | a critical indication of future success or failure |
| a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes. |
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
litmus test n.
A test for chemical acidity or basicity using litmus paper.