[stuh-lak-tahyt, stal-uh
k-tahyt] 
| a deposit, usually of calcium carbonate, shaped like an icicle, hanging from the roof of a cave or the like, and formed by the dripping of percolating calcareous water. |
[stal-uhk-tit-ik] , stal⋅ac⋅tit⋅i⋅cal, adjective | sta·lac·tite (stə-lāk'tīt', stāl'ək-) n. An icicle-shaped mineral deposit, usually calcite or aragonite, hanging from the roof of a cavern, formed from the dripping of mineral-rich water. [New Latin stalactītēs, from Greek stalaktos, dripping, from stalassein, stalak-, to drip.] sta·lac'ti·form' adj., stal'ac·tit'ic (stāl'āk-tĭt'ĭk, stə-lāk'-) adj. |
| stalactite (stə-lāk'tīt') Pronunciation Key
A cylindrical or conical mineral deposit projecting downward from the roof of a cave or cavern, formed by the dripping of water saturated with minerals. Stalactites form gradually as the minerals precipitate out of the saturated water. They usually consist of calcite but can also consist of other minerals. Compare stalagmite. |