petit mal

[ pet-ee mahl, mal; French puh-tee mal ]
/ ˈpɛt i ˈmɑl, ˈmæl; French pə ti ˈmal /

noun Pathology.

See under epilepsy.

Origin of petit mal

1870–75; < French: literally, small illness

Words nearby petit mal

petit déjeuner, petit feu, petit four, petit jury, petit larceny, petit mal, petit point, petit serjeanty, petit treason, petit's lumbar triangle, petite

Definition for petit 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

Example sentences from the Web for petit mal

British Dictionary definitions for petit 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 petit mal (2 of 2)

petit mal
/ (ˈpɛtɪ ˈmæl, French pəti mal) /

noun

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

Word Origin for petit mal

C19: French: little illness

Medical definitions for petit 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 petit mal (2 of 2)

petit mal
[ pĕt′ē mäl′, măl′ ]

n.

A form of epilepsy, occurring most often in adolescents and children, characterized by frequent but transient lapses of consciousness and only rare spasms or falling. absence petit mal epilepsy

Scientific definitions for petit 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 petit 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.