Stalactite

Stalactite
Stalactite Sta*lac"tite (-t[imac]t), n.; pl. {Stalactites} (-t[imac]ts). [Gr. stalakto`s oozing out in drops, dropping, fr. stala`zein to drop: cf. F. stalactite.] (Geol.) (a) A pendent cone or cylinder of calcium carbonate resembling an icicle in form and mode of attachment. Stalactites are found depending from the roof or sides of caverns, and are produced by deposition from waters which have percolated through, and partially dissolved, the overlying limestone rocks. (b) In an extended sense, any mineral or rock of similar form and origin; as, a stalactite of lava. [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • stalactite — [ stalaktit ] n. f. • 1644; du gr. stalaktos « qui coule goutte à goutte » ♦ Concrétion calcaire qui se forme à la voûte d une grotte par l évaporation des gouttes d eau qui filtrent. Stalactites et stalagmites. « Une grotte que les stalactites… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • stalactite — stalactite, stalagmite A stalactite hangs down from the roof of a cave, and is formed from dripping water containing rich minerals. A stalagmite rises up from the floor and is formed from deposits also caused by dripping. Both words are derived… …   Modern English usage

  • stalactite — (n.) 1670s, Anglicized from Mod.L. stalactites (used 1654 by Olaus Wormius), from Gk. stalaktos dripping, from stalassein to trickle, from PIE root *stag to seep, drip, drop (Cf. Ger. stallen, Lith. telziu to urinate ) …   Etymology dictionary

  • stalactite — ► NOUN ▪ a tapering structure hanging from the roof of a cave, formed of calcium salts deposited by dripping water. ORIGIN from Greek stalaktos dripping , from stalassein to drip …   English terms dictionary

  • stalactite — [stə lak′tīt, stal′ək tīt΄] n. [ModL stalactites < Gr stalaktos, trickling or dropping < stalassein, to let fall drop by drop: see STALE2] an icicle shaped, secondary mineral deposit, usually calcite, that hangs from the roof of a cave and… …   English World dictionary

  • Stalactite — A stalactite (Greek stalaktites , (Σταλακτίτης), from the word for drip and meaning that which drips ) is a type of speleothem (secondary mineral) that hangs from the ceiling or wall of limestone caves. It is sometimes referred to as dripstone.… …   Wikipedia

  • stalactite —    1. Speleothem, generally of calcite, formed by dripping water and hanging from a cave roof. Stalactites embrace an enormous variety of sizes and shapes. They form where percolation water seeps from a cave ceiling and becomes saturated with… …   Lexicon of Cave and Karst Terminology

  • stalactite — UK [ˈstæləktaɪt] / US [stəˈlækˌtaɪt] noun [countable] Word forms stalactite : singular stalactite plural stalactites science a long pointed piece of rock that hangs down from the roof of a cave, formed by chemicals in water drops that have fallen …   English dictionary

  • Stalactite — Excentriques, Grotte de Torrinha, Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brésil Une stalactite (du grec stalaktos qui coule goutte à goutte ) se forme à la voûte des grottes et des souterrains, ou sous des plafonds ou dalles de béton de mauvaise qualité ou… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • stalactite — See stalactite, stalagmite …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

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