grand mal

[ gran mahl, -mal, grand; French grahn mal ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. epilepsy

grand mal

/ ɡrɒn mæl; ɡrɑ̃ mal /

noun

1. a form of epilepsy characterized by loss of consciousness for up to five minutes and violent convulsions Compare petit mal

Word History and Origins

Origin of grand mal¹

1875–80; < French: great ailment, epilepsy

Word History and Origins

Origin of grand mal¹

French: great illness

Example Sentences

Drug interactions resulted in two seizures, including a grand mal seizure.

From Seattle Times

Brooke Shields reveals that she had a grand mal seizure in September — and that Bradley Cooper was by her side as she was taken to the hospital.

From Los Angeles Times

Brooke Shields revealed that she had a grand mal seizure in September, just days before the debut of her cabaret show in New York City.

From Los Angeles Times

Rosales suffers from grand mal seizures; her mother has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

From Seattle Times

At first, the neuropsychiatrist was "jarred" by the sight of a grand mal seizure.

From Salon