stalactite

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stalactite icicle-like deposit of carbonate of lime pendent from a cave-roof. XVI. — modL. stalactītēs, f. Gr. stalaktós dropping, dripping, f. stalak-, base of stalássein drip, let drip; see -ITE.
So stalagmite similar deposit rising from the floor of a cave. XVIII. — modL. stalagmītēs, f. Gr. stálagma, stalagmós.

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