grotesco

grotesque

adjective groh-TES-koh Rare

Origin: From Italian grottesco, from grotta, 'grotto' — originally referring to fanciful cave paintings.

Also means

absurd

Usage Note

Grotesco describes something distorted, repulsively ugly, or ludicrously absurd, often combining the frightening and the ridiculous. Its Italian origin comes from cave-painting decorations (pitture grottesche) featuring fantastical motifs. It is closely related in Spanish literary tradition to the concept of esperpento (see that entry).

Examples

"La máscara tenía una expresión grotesca."

Natural Translation

The mask had a grotesque expression.

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