Our online medical glossary of medical terms and definitions includes definitions for terms related to treatment, and general medicine
STALACTITE
Origin: Gr. Oozing out in drops, dropping, fr. To drop: cf. F. Stalactite.
A pendentcone or cylinder of calciumcarbonate resembling an icicle in form and mode of attachment. Stalactites are found depending from the roof or sides of caverns, and are produced by deposition from waters which have percolated through, and partially dissolved, the overlying limestone rocks.
In an extended sense, any mineral or rock of similarform and origin; as, a stalactite of lava.
Source: Websters Vocabulary