/ grəʊˈtesk; NAmE groʊ-/ adjective , noun
■ adjective
1.
strange in a way that is unpleasant or offensive :
a grotesque distortion of the truth
It's grotesque to expect a person of her experience to work for so little money.
2.
extremely ugly in a strange way that is often frightening or amusing :
a grotesque figure
tribal dancers wearing grotesque masks
► gro·tesque·ly adverb
■ noun
1.
[ C ] a person who is extremely ugly in a strange way, especially in a book or painting
2.
the grotesque [ sing. ] a style of art using grotesque figures and designs
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent. (as noun): from French crotesque (the earliest form in English), from Italian grottesca , from opera or pittura grottesca work or painting resembling that found in a grotto; “grotto” here probably denoted the rooms of ancient buildings in Rome which had been revealed by excavations, and which contained murals in the grotesque style.