adj. 1. Characterized by ludicrous, repulsive, or incongruous distortion, as of appearance or manner. See Synonyms at ugly. 2. Outlandish or bizarre, as in character or appearance. See Synonyms at fantastic. 3. Of, relating to, or being the grotesque style in art or a work executed in this style. n. 1. One that is grotesque. 2. a. A style of painting, sculpture, and ornamentation in which natural forms and monstrous figures are intertwined in bizarre or fanciful combinations. b. A work of art executed in this style. [From French, a fanciful style of decorative art, from Italian grottesca, from feminine of grottesco, of a grotto, from grotta, grotto; see GROTTO.] gro·tesquely adv. gro·tesqueness n. |
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