stalactite

[ stuh-lak-tahyt, stal-uhk-tahyt ]

noun
  1. 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.

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Origin of stalactite

1
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-uhk-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

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British Dictionary definitions for stalactite

stalactite

/ (ˈstæləkˌtaɪt) /


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

Origin of stalactite

1
C17: from New Latin stalactites, from Greek stalaktos dripping, from stalassein to drip

Derived forms of stalactite

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for stalactite

stalactite

[ stə-lăktīt′ ]


  1. 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.

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