stalagmite

American  

[stuh-lag-mahyt, stal-uhg-mahyt] / stəˈlæg maɪt, ˈstæl əgˌmaɪt /

noun

1. a deposit, usually of calcium carbonate, more or less resembling an inverted stalactite, formed on the floor of a cave or the like by the dripping of percolating calcareous water.

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stalagmite British  

/ ˈstæləɡˌmaɪt, ˌstæləɡˈmɪtɪk /

noun

1. a cylindrical mass of calcium carbonate projecting upwards from the floor of a limestone cave: formed by precipitation from continually dripping water Compare stalactite

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stalagmite Scientific  

/ stə-lăg′mīt′ /

1. A cylindrical or conical mineral deposit, similar to a stalactite but built up from the floor of a cave or cavern. Stalagmites are typically broader than stalactites. The two formations are often, but not always, paired, and they sometimes join at a midpoint to form a pillar.

2. Compare stalactite

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Other Word Forms

• stalagmitic
  adjective
• stalagmitical
  adjective
• stalagmitically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of stalagmite

1675–85; < New Latin stalagmites < Greek stálagm ( a ) a drop ( stalag-, stem of stalássein to drip + -ma noun suffix of result) + New Latin -ites -ite ¹

Compare meaning

How does stalagmite compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• stalagmite vs. stalactite

Explanation

A stalagmite is the pointed formation that rises from the floor of a cave. When you go spelunking, or cave exploring, you'll have to avoid the areas where stalagmites have formed. Stalagmites are thin piles of mineral deposits that have fallen from the roof to the floor of a cave. They're sometimes connected to the stalactites that dangle down from the top. Because stalagmites form from drops of water combined with minerals, they get their name from the Greek stalagmos, "a dropping," and share a root with stalactite — the Greek stalassein, "to trickle."

Example Sentences

Stalagmite sheets are sometimes composed of variegated, laminated layers, and when polished produce a beautiful decorative stone which passes under the name of onyx marble.

From North America by Russell, Israel C. (Cook)

Stalagmite, a deposit of earthy matter, made by calcareous water dropping on the floors of caverns.

From A Manual of the Antiquity of Man by MacLean, J. P. (John Patterson)

This is a large Stalagmite column, in the centre of which is formed a capacious seat.

From Rambles in the Mammoth Cave, during the Year 1844 By a Visiter by Bullitt, Alexander Clark