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.
Related Words
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