Definition of Petit mal

1. Noun. Epilepsy characterized by paroxysmal attacks of brief clouding of consciousness (and possibly other abnormalities). "She has been suffering from petit mal since childhood"

Exact synonyms: Epilepsia Minor, Petit Mal Epilepsy
Generic synonyms: Epilepsy
Terms within: Absence, Absence Seizure

2. Noun. A seizure of short duration characterized by momentary unconsciousness and local muscle spasms or twitching. "The girl was frightened by her first petit mal"
Exact synonyms: Epilepsia Minor
Generic synonyms: Epileptic Seizure

Definition of Petit mal

1. Noun. A form of epilepsy where the seizures are characterized as minor, the person becomes vacant or unaware, but not involving spasms and unconsciousness. These seizures are usually brief, lasting up to 30 seconds, and may include twitching. A formal medical term would be absence seizures. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Medical Definition of Petit mal

1. A type of seizure (absence seizures) that in contrast to the grand mal seizure, are noted for their brevity and for the degree of loss of awareness (brief staring spell) accompanied by minimal motor manifestations. A common form of childhood epilepsy. (06 Oct 1997)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Petit Mal

petioled
petioles
petiolulate
petiolule
petiolules
petiolus
petiolus epiglottidis
petit
petit bourgeois
petit dejeuner
petit four
petit juries
petit juror
petit jury
petit larceny
petit mal (current term)
petit mal epilepsy
petit mal seizure
petit point
petit pois
petite
petite bourgeoisie
petite marmite
petite mutant
petitely
petiteness
petitenesses
petites
petitgrain
petitio

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