stalagmite

[ stuh-lag-mahyt, stal-uhg-mahyt ]

noun
  1. a deposit, usually of calcium carbonate, more or less resembling an inverted stalactite, formed on the floor of a cave or the like by the dripping of percolating calcareous water.

Origin of stalagmite

1
1675–85; <New Latin stalagmites<Greek stálagm(a) a drop (stalag-, stem of stalássein to drip + -ma noun suffix of result) + New Latin -ites-ite1

Other words from stalagmite

  • stal·ag·mit·ic [stal-uhg-mit-ik], /ˌstæl əgˈmɪt ɪk/, stal·ag·mit·i·cal, adjective
  • stal·ag·mit·i·cal·ly, adverb

Words that may be confused with stalagmite

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for stalagmite

stalagmite

/ (ˈstæləɡˌmaɪt) /


noun
  1. a cylindrical mass of calcium carbonate projecting upwards from the floor of a limestone cave: formed by precipitation from continually dripping water: Compare stalactite

Origin of stalagmite

1
C17: from New Latin stalagmites, from Greek stalagmos dripping; related to Greek stalassein to drip; compare stalactite

Derived forms of stalagmite

  • stalagmitic (ˌstæləɡˈmɪtɪk) or stalagmitical, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for stalagmite

stalagmite

[ stə-lăgmīt′ ]


  1. A cylindrical or conical mineral deposit, similar to a stalactite but built up from the floor of a cave or cavern. Stalagmites are typically broader than stalactites. The two formations are often, but not always, paired, and they sometimes join at a midpoint to form a pillar. Compare stalactite.

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