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.

---

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

---

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

---

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

Example Sentences

These included the chemical signatures preserved in stalactites and stalagmites from two Indian caves and water level histories recorded in five lakes across northwest India.

From Science Daily

Pointy stalagmites made of pure gold stretch up toward the surface, like mountains under the water.

From Literature

“Why, those are stalactites and stalagmites,” she thought.

From Literature

The stalactites and stalagmites of Sequoia National Park’s Crystal Cave, a sprawling subterranean wonder that’s been closed for four years, will be accessible again this summer.

From Los Angeles Times

The stalagmites examined originate from the Sofular Cave in Turkey, which is located in a region that is very sensitive to climate change.

From Science Daily