What does litmus test mean?

Definitions for litmus test
lit·mus test

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word litmus test.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. litmus, litmus testnoun

    a coloring material (obtained from lichens) that turns red in acid solutions and blue in alkaline solutions; used as a very rough acid-base indicator

  2. litmus testnoun

    a test that relies on a single indicator

    "her litmus test for good breeding is whether you split infinitives"

GCIDE

  1. litmus test

    (Chem.) A test to determine acidity or alkalinity, using litmus as an inddicator.

  2. litmus test

    Hence: (Fig.) A test for a single factor, which has only two outcomes, positive or negative; specifically: (Politics) the question of whether a candidate for office is for or against a particular position on an issue; -- used, e.g. by voters concerned predominantly with a single issue, to decide whether to vote for or against a candidate; as, many voters take a candidate's position on abortion as their litmus test.

Wiktionary

  1. litmus testnoun

    A simple test for the acidity or alkalinity of a substance, using litmus paper.

  2. litmus testnoun

    Any test which produces a decisive result by measuring a single indicator.

  3. Etymology: From litmus + test.

ChatGPT

  1. litmus test

    A litmus test is a simple and decisive test or evaluation method used to determine the presence or absence of a certain characteristic, principle, or quality. It originates from a chemical test using litmus paper to measure acidity or alkalinity, but the term is often used metaphorically in various fields such as politics, business and social issues.

Wikidata

  1. Litmus test

    A litmus test is a question asked of a potential candidate for high office, the answer to which would determine whether the nominating official would proceed with the appointment or nomination. Those who must approve a nominee, such as a justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, may also be said to apply a litmus test to determine whether the nominee will receive their vote. In these contexts, the phrase comes up most often with respect to nominations to the judiciary.

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of litmus test in Chaldean Numerology is: 1

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of litmus test in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5

Examples of litmus test in a Sentence

  1. Steve Beshear:

    We expect any entity that accepts state incentives not to discriminate on any basis in hiring, while the leaders of Ark Encounter had previously agreed not to discriminate in hiring based on religion, they now refuse to make that commitment and it has become apparent that they do intend to use religious beliefs as a litmus test for hiring decisions. For that reason, we cannot proceed with the tourism incentive application for the Ark Encounter project.

  2. Kerryn Baker:

    This is an extremely important litmus test for democracy in the Pacific and its retention, if he keeps pushing it, history tells us that things can get very ugly. It's a very dangerous path to go down.

  3. Jimmy Kimmel:

    I felt like Seth made a joke last night that was specifically from me, he said his monologue was like sending the first dog into space to see if it came back alive, and I did feel that way… I was like ‘I have to see what Seth says and how it’s received’… and I thank him for being that litmus test.

  4. Mark Luschini:

    Companies such as Caterpillar are a litmus test for the global economy especially when the market is concerned about China's economy.

  5. Aleta Ledendecker:

    This is the litmus test I use: if I were a Christian parent walking in the school, and I heard over the PA system during morning announcements music with the words ‘Praise Allah. Allah is king on high. Bow down to Allah,’ how would I feel as a Christian parent with that being broadcast to all the children in the schools.


Translations for litmus test

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"litmus test." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Mar. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/litmus+test>.

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