grotesque

Noun · Adjective
Synonyms: monstrousanticfantasticfantastical

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

  1. art characterized by an incongruous mixture of parts of humans and animals interwoven with plants

Adjective (2)

  1. distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous“tales of grotesque serpents eight fathoms long that churned the seas”“twisted into monstrous shapes”Synonyms: monstrous
  2. ludicrously odd“Hamlet's assumed antic disposition”“fantastic Halloween costumes”“a grotesque reflection in the mirror”Synonyms: anticfantasticfantastical
Advertisement

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Grotesque \Gro*tesque"\ (gr[-o]*t[e^]sk"), a. [F., fr. It. grottesco, fr. grotta grotto. See Grotto.]

1.Like the figures found in ancient grottoes; grottolike. [1913 Webster]

2.Hence: Wildly or strangely formed; whimsical; extravagant; of irregular forms and proportions; fantastic; ludicrous; antic. "Grotesque design." --Dryden. "Grotesque incidents." --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]

Grotesque \Gro*tesque\, n.

1.A whimsical figure, or scene, such as is found in old crypts and grottoes. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

2.Artificial grotto-work. [1913 Webster]

Advertisement