How Do You Spell STALACTITE?

Pronunciation: [stˈalɐktˌa͡ɪt] (IPA)

Stalactite is a geological formation that hangs from the ceilings of caves, made of mineral deposits. Its spelling is not intuitive, but can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription system. The word starts with "st" followed by the "a" sound as in "cat". The "l" is pronounced as in "little," followed by "ack" and then "tite" pronounced as in "height". So, the correct IPA transcription of stalactite is /ˈstæl.ək.taɪt/.

STALACTITE Meaning and Definition

1. A stalactite is a geological formation characterized by its elongated, cylindrical, and icicle-like shape, hanging from the ceiling or roof of a cave, cavern, or underground structure. It is primarily composed of mineral deposits, typically calcium carbonate, that gradually accumulate over an extended period of time.

   The formation of stalactites commences with the dripping of mineral-rich groundwater or solutions through the roof of a cave. As these solutions seep through the porous limestone or other soluble rocks, they leave behind minute traces of mineral deposits. Over time, these deposits accumulate, solidify, and extend downwards under the force of gravity.

   The growth rate of stalactites is usually slow, and can range from a few millimeters to several centimeters per year. As a result, some stalactites can reach considerable lengths over hundreds or thousands of years. Stalactites often exhibit a tapering and conical structure, with the widest part at the top, and tend to develop a smooth, cylindrical surface as the minerals crystallize and harden over time.

   Stalactites can serve as an intriguing visual spectacle, as the minerals they are composed of may have varying colors, such as white, brown, or even translucent. They contribute to the diverse and captivating natural beauty found in caves, and are often linked to other geological formations such as stalagmites, which grow upwards from the cave floor.

Top Common Misspellings for STALACTITE *

• stalagtite 80%
• stalagtites 20%

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for STALACTITE

• atalactite
• ztalactite
• xtalactite
• dtalactite
• etalactite
• wtalactite
• sralactite
• sfalactite
• sgalactite
• syalactite
• s6alactite
• s5alactite
• stzlactite
• stslactite
• stalactte
• stalactitc
• Stalochite
• Stalchite
• Stalichite
• Stalacticle

Etymology of STALACTITE

The word stalactite has its roots in the Greek language. It is derived from two Greek words: stalaktos, meaning dripping, and -ite, a suffix used to denote a mineral or rock formation. Consequently, stalactite essentially means something that is formed by dripping.

Similar spelling words for STALACTITE

• stylistic,
• stalagmite.

Plural form of STALACTITE is STALACTITES