Lackmus

German

Etymology

From Dutch lakmoes, from Middle Dutch lecmoes, a compound of the cognates of German lecken (“to leak”) and Mus (“mush”). The former was later adapted to Dutch lak, German Lack (“varnish”). It seems obvious that there is a relation between Middle Dutch lecmoes and synonymous Old Norse litmosi (whence English litmus), but the nature of this relation is unsettled.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈlak.mʊs/, /ˈlakˌmuːs/

• Audio:

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Noun

Lackmus m or n (genitive Lackmus, no plural)

1. litmus (dyestuff)

Derived terms

• Lackmustest