grand mal

[ gran mahl, -mal, grand; French grahn mal ]
/ ˈgræn ˈmɑl, -ˈmæl, ˈgrænd; French grɑ̃ ˈmal /

noun Pathology.

See under epilepsy.

Origin of grand mal

1875–80; < French: great ailment, epilepsy

Words nearby grand mal

grand juror, grand jury, grand kabuki, grand lama, grand larceny, grand mal, grand mal seizure, grand manan, grand march, grand marnier, grand marshal

Definition for grand mal (2 of 2)

epilepsy
[ ep-uh-lep-see ]
/ ˈɛp əˌlɛp si /

noun Pathology.

a disorder of the nervous system, characterized either by mild, episodic loss of attention or sleepiness (petit mal) or by severe convulsions with loss of consciousness (grand mal).

Origin of epilepsy

1570–80; < Late Latin epilēpsia < Greek epilēpsía epileptic seizure, equivalent to epílēpt(os) suffering from epilepsy (verbid of epilambánein to get hold of, attack; epi- epi- + lambánein to seize) + -ia -y3, with ti > si

British Dictionary definitions for grand mal (1 of 2)

epilepsy
/ (ˈɛpɪˌlɛpsɪ) /

noun

a disorder of the central nervous system characterized by periodic loss of consciousness with or without convulsions. In some cases it is due to brain damage but in others the cause is unknown See also grand mal, petit mal

Word Origin for epilepsy

C16: from Late Latin epilēpsia, from Greek, from epilambanein to attack, seize, from lambanein to take

British Dictionary definitions for grand mal (2 of 2)

grand mal
/ (ɡrɒn mæl, French ɡrɑ̃ mal) /

noun

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

Word Origin for grand mal

French: great illness

Medical definitions for grand mal (1 of 2)

epilepsy
[ ĕp′ə-lĕp′sē ]

n.

Any of various neurological disorders characterized by sudden, recurring attacks of motor, sensory, or psychic malfunction with or without loss of consciousness or convulsive seizures. seizure disorder

Medical definitions for grand mal (2 of 2)

grand mal
[ grănd′ mäl′, măl′ ]

n.

A severe epilepsy characterized by seizures involving tonic-clonic spasms and by the loss of consciousness. generalized tonic-clonic epilepsy generalized tonic-clonic seizure disorder grand mal epilepsy major epilepsy

Scientific definitions for grand mal

epilepsy
[ ĕp′ə-lĕp′sē ]

Any of various neurological disorders characterized by recurrent seizures. Epilepsy is caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

Cultural definitions for grand mal

epilepsy
[ (ep-uh-lep-see) ]

A disorder of the brain characterized by sudden, recurring attacks of abnormal brain function, often resulting in convulsions or seizures. The seizures associated with epilepsy can sometimes be controlled by medication.