sta·lac·tite
 stalactite
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- pronunciation:
- st
laek
taIt
[or]
stae
lk
taIt
- features:
- Language Note, Word History, Word Explorer, Word Parts
| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition: |
a rock formation that looks like an icicle and hangs from the roof of a cave. Stalactites are built up from minerals in dripping water.
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| derivation: |
stalactitic (adj.) |
Stalactites and
stalagmites are two kinds of underground rock formations. Stalactites grow downward from the ceiling of a cave, and stalagmites grow upward from the floor of a cave. Here is a way to help you to remember which is which: stala
ctite --
ceiling, stala
gmite --
ground.
Stalactite comes from
stalaktos, an ancient Greek word that means "dripping" or "trickling."