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.

stalactite

/ ˈstæləkˌtaɪt; ˌstæləkˈtɪtɪk; stəˈlæktɪˌfɔːm /

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

stalactite

/ stə-lăk′tīt′ /

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.
2. Compare stalagmite

Derived Forms

• stalactiform, adjective
• stalactitic, adjective

Other Words From

• stal·ac·tit·ic [stal-, uh, k-, tit, -ik], stalac·titi·cal adjective
• stalac·titi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of stalactite¹

1670–80; < New Latin stalactites < Greek stalakt ( ós ) dripping ( stalag-, stem of stalássein to drip + -tos verbid suffix) + New Latin -ites -ite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of stalactite¹

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

Example Sentences

The metal structure is being eaten away by microbes, creating stalactites of rust called rusticles.

From BBC

Arching over the emerald basin are walls of stalactites dripping down the cavern ceiling, which opens to a dense jungle.

From Seattle Times

Large stalactites hang from the rock ceiling above me, but I’m running along a brick road.

From Literature

The drips from the stalactites and the hot waterfall from the source inside gives you a natural shower and sauna experience like nowhere else.

From Seattle Times

"At the bottom water oozed through the iron sides of the great tube, which has never been totally watertight. At one place a single stalactite a foot long hung from the roof."

From BBC