grotesque

adj. 1 comically or repulsively distorted. 2 incongruous, absurd. n. 1 decorative form interweaving human and animal features. 2 comically distorted figure or design.  grotesquely adv. Grotesqueness n. [italian: related to *grotto]

n. A whimsical figure, or scene, such as is found in old crypts and grottoes.