stalactite

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English

Etymology

A group of stalactites in Brazil.

From New Latin stalactites, from Ancient Greek σταλακτός (stalaktós, “dripping; dropping”) + Latin -ītēs (suffix with the sense ‘belonging to’ forming adjectives) (modelled after the names of stones ending in -ites). Σταλακτός (Stalaktós) is derived from σταλάσσειν (stalássein, “to drip; to let (something) drip”) + -τός (-tós, suffix forming adjectives denoting possibility from verbs).[1][2]

Pronunciation

Noun

stalactite (plural stalactites)

  1. (geology) A secondary mineral deposit of calcium carbonate or another mineral, in shapes similar to icicles, that hangs from the roof of a cave.
    Coordinate term: stalagmite
    • 1876, Mark Twain [pseudonym; Samuel Langhorne Clemens], chapter XXXIII, in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Hartford, Conn.: The American Publishing Company, →OCLC:
      In one place, near at hand, a stalagmite had been slowly growing up from the ground for ages, builded by the water-drip from a stalactite overhead.

Derived terms

Translations

References

  1. ^ Compare “stalactites, n.”, in OED Online Paid subscription required⁠, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, July 2023.
  2. ^ “stalactite, n.”, in Dictionary.com Unabridged, Dictionary.com, LLC, 1995–present.

Further reading

French

des stalactites

Etymology

Borrowed from New Latin stalactites, from Ancient Greek σταλακτός (stalaktós).

Pronunciation

Noun

stalactite f (plural stalactites)

  1. (geology) stalactite
    Antonym: stalagmite
  2. icicle

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