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, adverbWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH stalactite
stalactite stalagmiteWords nearby stalactite
stakeout,
stakhanov,
stakhanovism,
stakhanovite,
stalactiform,
stalactite,
stalactite work,
stalactites,
stalag,
stalagmite,
stalagmites
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, adjectiveWord Origin for stalactite
C17: from New Latin
stalactites, from Greek
stalaktos dripping, from
stalassein to drip
Scientific definitions for stalactite
stalactite
[ stə-lăk′tīt′ ]
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.