Stalagmite
/ˈstæləɡmaɪt/noun
A mineral deposit that rises from a cave floor, formed by dripping water.
Did you know?Stalagmite and stalactite were coined in the 17th century from Greek roots for dripping, turning geology into a language of frozen water magic.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
stalaktos
“dripping”
17th Century
Latin
stalagmīta
“a dripstone formation”
17th Century
Latin
stalactītēs
“a cave formation that drips”
Modern English
English
stalagmite
“a cone-shaped deposit that rises from a cave floor”