grotesque

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   comically or repulsively distorted or unnatural

   The gargoyles wore grotesque expressions carved into the stone.

From French grotesque, from Italian grottesca ('grotto-like'), from grotta ('grotto, cave'); originally describing the fanciful murals found in excavated Roman grottoes. Ultimately from Latin crypta, from Ancient Greek krypte ('vault').

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