Definition

1. Noun:
   • Stalactite: A geological formation consisting of a tapering structure of calcium carbonate hanging like an icicle from the roof of a cave, formed by the continuous dripping of mineral-rich water over a very long period.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Những cột vú đá trong hang động trông thật ngoạn mục. (The stalactite columns in the cave look truly spectacular.)
  • Nước nhỏ giọt từ đầu một vú đá. (Water drips from the tip of a stalactite.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "vú đá" is a compound noun in Vietnamese, literally translating to "stone breast" or "stone teat," which vividly describes the shape and formation process of a stalactite. It is a specific, descriptive term used in geography and geology.

Variants and Related Words

• Măng đá (n): Stalagmite. A corresponding geological formation that rises from the floor of a cave, formed by mineral deposits from water dripping from a stalactite above.
  • Vú đá trên trần và măng đá dưới đất đôi khi nối lại thành cột đá. (The stalactite on the ceiling and the stalagmite on the floor sometimes join to form a column.)

Synonyms

• Stalactite: The direct and precise English equivalent.

Related Concepts

• Speleothem: The general term for all cave formations, including stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones, and others. "Vú đá" is a type of speleothem.
• Karst topography: A landscape formed from the dissolution of soluble rocks like limestone, often featuring caves containing "vú đá" and other formations.