stalactite

[ stuh-lak-tahyt, stal-uh k-tahyt ]
/ stəˈlæk taɪt, ˈstæl əkˌtaɪt /

noun

a deposit, usually of calcium carbonate, shaped like an icicle, hanging from the roof of a cave or the like, and formed by the dripping of percolating calcareous water.

Origin of stalactite

1670–80; < New Latin stalactites < Greek stalakt(ós) dripping ( stalag-, stem of stalássein to drip + -tos verbid suffix) + New Latin -ites -ite1

OTHER WORDS FROM stalactite

stal·ac·tit·ic [stal-uh k-tit-ik] /ˌstæl əkˈtɪt ɪk/, stal·ac·tit·i·cal, adjective stal·ac·tit·i·cal·ly, adverb

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH stalactite

stalactite stalagmite

Example sentences from the Web for stalactite

British Dictionary definitions for stalactite

stalactite
/ (ˈstæləkˌtaɪt) /

noun

a cylindrical mass of calcium carbonate hanging from the roof of a limestone cave: formed by precipitation from continually dripping water Compare stalagmite

Derived forms of stalactite

stalactiform (stəˈlæktɪˌfɔːm), adjective stalactitic (ˌstæləkˈtɪtɪk) or stalactitical, adjective

Word Origin for stalactite

C17: from New Latin stalactites, from Greek stalaktos dripping, from stalassein to drip

Scientific definitions for stalactite

stalactite
[ stə-lăktīt′ ]

A cylindrical or conical mineral deposit projecting downward from the roof of a cave or cavern, formed by the dripping of water saturated with minerals. Stalactites form gradually as the minerals precipitate out of the saturated water. They usually consist of calcite but can also consist of other minerals. Compare stalagmite.