1. petit mal(n = noun.state) epilepsia minor, petit mal epilepsy - epilepsy characterized by paroxysmal attacks of brief clouding of consciousness (and possibly other abnormalities); "she has been suffering from petit mal since childhood"
is a kind of epilepsy
has parts: absence, absence seizure
2. petit mal(n = noun.state) epilepsia minor - a seizure of short duration characterized by momentary unconsciousness and local muscle spasms or twitching; "the girl was frightened by her first petit mal"
is a kind of epileptic seizure
The mildest form of epilepsy, with momentary faintness or unconsciousness, but without convulsions; -- opposed to
petit mal, n. a mild form of epilepsy with only momentary loss of consciousness (cf. GRAND MAL).
Etymology:
F, = little sickness
grand mal, grand mal epilepsy, mal de la rosa, mal de mer, mal rosso, petit, petit bourgeois, petit dejeuner, petit four, petit juror, petit jury, petit larceny, petit mal epilepsy, petit point