stalac-, stalag- (Greek > Latin: dropping, dripping; trickling; to drip, to drop, to trickle).stalactic:
Deposited by dripping water; pertaining to or consisting of stalactites.
stalactical:
Of the nature of a stalactite; resembling or pertaining to stalactites.
stalactiform:
Having the form of a stalactite.
stalactite:
1. An icicle-like formation of calcium carbonate (calcite or aragonite), dripping from the roof or sides of a cavern and produced by the dropping of water over a long time which has percolated through, and partially dissolved, the overlying limestone.
2. A conical hanging pillar in a limestone cave that has gradually built up as a deposit from ground water seeping through the cave's roof.  See Jimmy, this is a stalactite, a word that comes from Modern Latin stalactites; but before that it came from Greek, stalaktos, meaning "dripping, dropping," or "to drip." stalactitic:
Having the form or structure of a stalactite, resembling or pertaining to stalactites.
stalagmite:
1. A conical pillar in a limestone cave that is gradually built upward from the floor as a deposit from ground water seeping mineral-rich water through and dripping from the cave's roof.
2. An incrustation or deposit, more or less like an inverted stalactite, on the floor of a cavern, formed by the dropping from the roof of some calcite or aragonite in solution.  Now, this is a stalagmite, which also came from Greek stalagma, "a drop," or stalagmos, "dropping;" through New Latin stalagmites, "a drop" and both of them came from stalassein, stalak-, "to drip." stalagmitic:
Formed in the same way as a stalagmite, composed of stalagmites or having their form or character.
 Finally, when a stalactite and a stalagmite join, we end up with a stalemate. Just joking. It's really called a stalacto-stalagmite and it is pronounced [stuh LAK toh-stuh LAG might]. It is defined as a columnar deposit formed by the union of a stalactite with its complementary stalagmite composed of mineral-rich water; but, if it is easier for you to remember, it is also called a "column". Now you know all about these cave formations, don't you? O pendant stalactite, Deposit crystalline, Insensate troglodyte Shaped of accreted brine, Aspire you still to pierce That upright stalagmite Who in a million years Your love cannot requite? And if indeed your drip With ardor one day fill her, And bring you lip to lip, And make you two one pillar … Still, how can you be sure, O pendant stalactite, If you are you, or her— An upright stalagmite? |