Part 6588

<hw>Lit"mus</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[D. <ets>lakmoes</ets>; <ets>lak</ets> lacker + <ets>moes</ets> a thick preparation of fruit, pap, prob. akin to E. <ets>meat</ets>: cf. G. <ets>lackmus</ets>. See <er>Lac</er> a resinous substance.]</ety> <fld>(Chem.)</fld> <def>A dyestuff extracted from certain lichens (<spn>Roccella tinctoria</spn>, <spn>Lecanora tartarea</spn>, etc.), as a blue amorphous mass which consists of a compound of the alkaline carbonates with certain coloring matters related to orcin and orcein.</def>

<note>&hand; Litmus is used as a dye, and being turned red by acids and restored to its blue color by alkalies, is a common indicator or test for acidity and alkalinity.</note>

<cs><col>Litmus paper</col> <fld>(Chem.)</fld>, <cd>unsized paper saturated with blue or red litmus, -- used in testing for acids or alkalies.</cd></cs> <-- litmus test, (Fig.) a test for a single factor, which has only two outcomes, positive or negative; (Politics) For voters concerned predominantly by a single issue, the question of whether a candidate is for or against their position on that issue. -->

<h1>Litotes</h1> <Xpage=860>

<hw>Li"to*tes</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[NL., fr. Gr. <?/, from <?/ plain, simple.]</ety> <fld>(Rhet.)</fld> <def>A diminution or softening of statement for the sake of avoiding censure or increasing the effect by contrast with the moderation shown in the form of expression; <as>as, " a citizen of no mean city," that is, of an illustrious city</as>.</def>

<h1>Litraneter</h1> <Xpage=860>

<hw>Li*tran"e*ter</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[Gr. <grk>li`tra</grk> + <ets>-meter</ets>. See <er>Liter</er>]</ety> <def>An instrument for ascertaining the specific gravity of liquids.</def>

<h1>Litre</h1> <Xpage=860>

<hw>Li"tre</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[F.]</ety> <def>Same as <er>Liter</er>.</def>

<h1>Litter</h1> <Xpage=860>

<hw>Lit"ter</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[F. <ets>liti\'8are</ets>, LL. <ets>lectaria</ets>, fr. L. <ets>lectus</ets> couch, bed. See <er>Lie</er> to be prostrated, and cf. <er>Coverlet</er>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>A bed or stretcher so arranged that a person, esp. a sick or wounded person, may be easily carried in or upon it.</def>

<blockquote>There is a <b>litter</b> ready; lay him in 't. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Straw, hay, etc., scattered on a floor, as bedding for animals to rest on; also, a covering of straw for plants.</def>

<blockquote>To crouch in <b>litter</b> of your stable planks. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>Take off the <b>litter</b> from your kernel beds. <i>Evelyn.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>Things lying scattered about in a manner indicating slovenliness; scattered rubbish.</def>

<blockquote>Strephon, who found the room was void. Stole in, and took a strict survey Of all the <b>litter</b> as it lay. <i>Swift.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>4.</b> <def>Disorder or untidiness resulting from scattered rubbish, or from thongs lying about uncared for; <as>as, a room in a state of <ex>litter</ex></as>.</def>

<p><b>5.</b> <def>The young brought forth at one time, by a sow or other multiparous animal, taken collectively. Also Fig.</def>

<blockquote>A wolf came to a sow, and very kindly offered to take care of her <b>litter</b>. <i>D. Estrange.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>Reflect upon numerous <b>litter</b> of strange, senseless opinions that crawl about the world. <i>South.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Litter</h1> <Xpage=860>

<hw>Lit"ter</hw>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <wordforms>[<tt>imp. & p. p.</tt> <er>Littered</er> <tt>(?)</tt>; <tt>p. pr. & vb. n.</tt> <er>Littering</er>.]</wordforms> <p><b>1.</b> <def>To supply with litter, as cattle; to cover with litter, as the floor of a stall.</def>

<blockquote>Tell them how they <b>litter</b> their jades. <i>Bp. Hacke<?/.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>For his ease, well <b>littered</b> was the floor. <i>Dryden.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>To put into a confused or disordered condition; to strew with scattered articles; <as>as, to <ex>litter</ex> a room</as>.</def>

<blockquote>The room with volumes <b>littered</b> round. <i>Swift.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>To give birth to; to bear; -- said of brutes, esp. those which produce more than one at a birth, and also of human beings, in abhorrence or contempt.</def>