stal ‧ ac ‧ tite /ˈstæləktaɪt $ stəˈlæktaɪt/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Language: Modern Latin ; Origin: stalactites , from Greek stalaktos 'falling in drops' ]
a sharp pointed object hanging down from the roof of a ↑ cave , which is formed gradually by water that contains minerals as it drops slowly from the roof ⇨ stalagmite