dripstone

This term serves as a collective geological category encompassing both stalactites and stalagmites. It describes the slow, chemical process of precipitation where calcite is deposited from dripping water, creating the characteristic architectural features of limestone caves.

In technical geological contexts, the word is typically treated as an uncountable mass noun referring to the material itself. While one might refer to specific dripstone formations, the substance is generally viewed as a singular geological phenomenon rather than a set of individual items.