Stalactite

Added by Jillian Keng

Definition

Noun

noun: stalactite; plural noun: stalactites 

a deposit of calcium carbonate (such as calcite) resembling an icicle hanging from the roof or sides of a cave.

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). stalactite. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved February 26, 2024, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stalactite

Pronunciation

• sta·​lac·​tite 

• IPA transcription: /stəˈlækˌtaɪt / 

Sample sentences

Noun

• Mist curled off the filthy water. Above us, almost lost in the gloom, was a ceiling of stalactites. - Percy Jackson, p. 289

• Thousands of dramatic stalactites and stalagmites, as well as deep, turquoise-colored cave pools, set the scene for a step back in time.  - Meagan Drillinger, Travel + Leisure, 31 Jan. 2024  (found on Marriam Webster)

Images

Etymology

"Hanging formation of carbonite of lime from the roof of a cave," 1670s, Englished from Modern Latin stalactites (used 1654 by Olaus Wormius), from Greek stalaktos "dripping, oozing out in drops," from stalassein "to trickle, drip, shed drops," from PIE root *stag- "to seep, drip, drop" (source also of German stallen, Lithuanian telžiu, telžti "to urinate"). 

Harper, D. (n.d.). Etymology of stalactite. Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved February 26, 2024, from https://www.etymonline.com/word/stalactite

Translation

Chinese: 鐘乳石

Korean: 종유석

Kazakh: сталактиттер

Russian: сталактиты

French: stalactites

Spanish: estalactitas

German: Stalaktiten

Turkish: sarkıtlar