stalactite Hear it!

stalactite Definition

sta·lac·tite (stə laktīt, stalək tīt′)

noun

an icicle-shaped, secondary mineral deposit, usually calcite, that hangs from the roof of a cave and is formed by the evaporation of dripping water that is full of minerals

Etymology: ModL stalactites < Gr stalaktos, trickling or dropping < stalassein, to let fall drop by drop: see stale

stalactite Related Forms

stal′·ac·titic (stal′ək titik) adjective

stalactite Usage Examples

Preposition: of

ice: Initially the pioneers gained these stalactites of ice using Aid ( pulling and resting on gear ).

Converse of object

  • see: If you had seen the stalactites, you'd know what I mean.
  • have: The walls are covered by richly colored flowstone and the chamber at the bottom also has some good stalactites.
  • form: Acid water, which seeps through the limestone layers, dissolves the calcium, which is forming the stalactites.
  • hang: Dirty brown stalactites hung from the ceiling almost meeting their twins growing up from the floor.
  • contain: The first was Reed's Cave, where, on May 6th, an extension containing many beautiful stalactites was entered.
  • drip: The cave came alive with unfamiliar noises as stalactites dripped and splattered on the sand and rock.

Adjective modifier

  • straw: A flat clay floor has few rocks and straw stalactites are plentiful.
  • beautiful: The first was Reed's Cave, where, on May 6th, an extension containing many beautiful stalactites was entered.
  • white: Many long, pure white stalactites hang from a prominent bedding plane on the west side of the chamber.
  • large: Nearby large stalactites hang from the walls, covered in an irregular crystal " fur ' .
  • good: Some of the country's best twisted stalactites in Britain are found here.
  • magnificent: Further on, in a big passage entered on the left, are magnificent stalactites.

Modifies a noun

  • curtain: A stalactite curtain 15 feet long 18 In Solomon's Temple.
  • formation: The cave contains a large amount of stalactite formations, much of which is stained by various other minerals.
  • cave: Shatter, Withyhill and W/L have long been considered among the finest stalactite caves in the UK.
  • development: Both these cave systems contain superb examples of stalagmite and stalactite development.

Preposition: in

cave: We all learned about stalagmites and stalactites in caves and we watched a video.