grotesque

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun art characterized by an incongruous mixture of parts of humans and animals interwoven with plants
  2. adjective distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
  3. adjective ludicrously odd

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French grotesque, from Italian grottesco, from grotta (“cave”) + -esco (relational suffix). By surface analysis, grotto + -esque. Compare French grotesque, English grotto.

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