stalagmite
UK /ˈstæl.əɡˌmaɪt/ · US /stəˈlæɡˌmaɪt/ noun
Forms stalagmites
- noun (geology) A secondary mineral deposit of calcium carbonate or other mineral, in shapes similar to icicles, that lies on the ground of a cave.
Etymology
From New Latin stalagmītēs, from Ancient Greek στάλαγμα (stálagma, “drop”) or σταλαγμός (stalagmós, “dripping”).
Webster’s 1913
- noun A deposit more or less resembling an inverted stalactite, formed by calcareous water dropping on the floors of caverns; hence, a similar deposit of other material.
Etymology [Gr. stalagmite.]
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “stalagmite”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details