stalagmite
[ stuh-lag-mahyt, stal-uhg-mahyt ]
/ stəˈlæg maɪt, ˈstæl əgˌmaɪt /
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noun
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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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-ite1
OTHER WORDS FROM stalagmite
stal·ag·mit·ic [stal-uhg-mit-ik], /ˌstæl əgˈmɪt ɪk/, stal·ag·mit·i·cal, adjectivestal·ag·mit·i·cal·ly, adverbWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH stalagmite
stalactite, stalagmiteWords nearby stalagmite
stalactiform, stalactite, stalactites, stalactite work, stalag, stalagmite, stalagmites, stalagmometer, St. Albans, St. Albert, stale
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for stalagmite
British Dictionary definitions for stalagmite
stalagmite
/ (ˈstæləɡˌmaɪt) /
noun
a cylindrical mass of calcium carbonate projecting upwards from the floor of a limestone cave: formed by precipitation from continually dripping waterCompare stalactite
Derived forms of stalagmite
stalagmitic (ˌstæləɡˈmɪtɪk) or stalagmitical, adjectiveWord Origin for stalagmite
C17: from New Latin stalagmites, from Greek stalagmos dripping; related to Greek stalassein to drip; compare stalactite
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Scientific definitions for stalagmite
stalagmite
[ stə-lăg′mīt′ ]
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. Compare stalactite.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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