stalactite Hear it!

stalactite definition

sta·lac·tite (stə lak′tīt, stal′ək 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

Related Forms:

  • stalactitic stal′·ac·tit′ic (stal′ək tit′ik) adjective

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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