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
stalactite Related Forms
stal′·ac·tit′ic (stal′ək tit′ik) 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.
Browse dictionary entries near stalactite
- ‹ stalactiform
- ‹ Stakhanovism
- ‹ stakeout
- ‹ stakeholder
- ‹ Staked Plain
- ‹ stake truck
- ‹ stake body
- ‹ stake
- ‹ staithe
- ‹ stairwell

