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grotte

cave

noun GROT Less Common
Travel & Places Geography

Origin: Italian grotta (cave)

Also means

grotto

Usage Note

Grotte refers to a natural cave or grotto, including famous tourist sites like the Grotte de Lascaux. Unlike caverne, which often suggests a wild or dark den, grotte is the standard neutral term. The word grotesque derives from the same root, originally describing ornamental cave paintings.

Examples

"Les touristes visitent la grotte chaque été."

Natural Translation

Tourists visit the cave every summer.

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