petit mal

[ pet-ee mahl, mal; French puh-tee mal ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. epilepsy

petit mal

/ ˈpɛtɪ ˈmæl; pəti mal /

noun

1. a mild form of epilepsy characterized by periods of impairment or loss of consciousness for up to 30 seconds Compare grand mal

Word History and Origins

Origin of petit mal¹

1870–75; < French: literally, small illness

Word History and Origins

Origin of petit mal¹

C19: French: little illness

Example Sentences

Instead, they are absence seizures, formerly known as petit mal seizures.

From Washington Times

Prior to 2018, Tognetti said, she heavily and regularly battled both grand mal and petit mal seizures, with the latter about 20 seconds in duration.

From Washington Times

Now she was having “petit mal” seizures almost every day, causing brief interruptions in her awareness of her surroundings.

From US News

Delanie is a good student, but she does not retain information in class during times when she has petit mal seizures, which happen several times a day.

From Washington Times

All through his childhood, Tom had "humdinger tantrums that Mum now, knowing more, thinks were small fits: petit mal seizures".

From The Guardian