stalactite

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noun

• a tapering structure hanging like an icicle from the roof of a cave, formed of calcium salts deposited by dripping water. Compare with stalagmite.

Derivatives

stalactitic

Pronunciation: /ˌstaləkˈtitik/

adjective

Origin:

late 17th century: from modern Latin stalactites, from Greek stalaktos 'dripping', based on stalassein 'to drip'

Do not confuse stalactite with stalagmite. A stalactite hangs from the roof of a cave, whereas a stalagmite rises up from a cave’s floor.stalactites hang from the ceiling; stalagmites start from the ground.