Main Entry:

sta·lac·tite

Pronunciation:

\stə-ˈlak-ˌtīt also ˈsta-lək-\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

New Latin stalactites, from Greek stalaktos dripping, from stalassein to let drip

Date:

1677

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

— sta·lac·tit·ic \ˌsta-(ˌ)lak-ˈti-tik, stə-ˌ\ adjective

[stalactite illustration]