grotto

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a small picturesque cave, especially one associated with water or unusual rock formations

   A clear spring emerged from the limestone grotto.

2. 2
   noun

   an artificial cave-like chamber or secluded ornamental retreat in a garden

   The estate's shaded grotto was lined with shells and colored stone.

3. 3
   noun

   a cave-like religious shrine, especially one dedicated to the Virgin Mary

   Pilgrims left candles at the Marian grotto.

Borrowed from Italian grotta, from Vulgar Latin grupta and Latin crypta, 'underground chamber'; crypt is a doublet. Renaissance gardens popularized artificial ornamental grottos, and the shrine sense was reinforced by the holy cave at Lourdes.

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