calthemite
English
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5b/Calthemite_straw_stalactite.jpg/220px-Calthemite_straw_stalactite.jpg)
Etymology
From (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Latin calx (“lime”) + Latin < (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Ancient Greek θέμα (théma, “what is laid down”), (also Mediaeval Latin thema, "deposit") and the Latin -īta < Ancient Greek -ίτης (-ítēs) – used as a suffix indicating a rock or mineral.
Noun
calthemite (plural calthemites)
- (geology) Any secondary calcareous deposit, created by the action of water outside the natural cave environment. They are typically found on man made structures and mimic the shapes and forms of cave speleothems, such as stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone etc.