litmus test

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).

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litmus test

Noun

something which is regarded as a simple and accurate test of a particular thing, such as a person's attitude to an issue

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	litmus test - 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 litmus acid-base indicator - an indicator that changes color on going from acidic to basic solutions litmus paper - unsized paper treated with litmus for use as an acid-base indicator
	2.	litmus test - a test that relies on a single indicator; "her litmus test for good breeding is whether you split infinitives" exam, examination, test - a set of questions or exercises evaluating skill or knowledge; "when the test was stolen the professor had to make a new set of questions"