A dyestuff extracted from certain lichens (
Roccella tinctoria,
Lecanora tartarea, etc.), as a blue amorphous mass which consists of a compound of the alkaline carbonates with certain coloring matters related to orcin and orcein. [
1913 Webster]
" 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."
[1913 Webster]