Definition

Noun: - A form of epilepsy characterized by brief, sudden lapses in consciousness or awareness, often appearing as a short stare or "absence." The person typically does not fall and recovers immediately, with no memory of the episode.

Usage

• Petit mal epilepsy is most commonly diagnosed in children.
• The doctor explained that the child's staring spells were due to petit mal epilepsy.
• Unlike grand mal seizures, petit mal epilepsy involves brief interruptions in consciousness.

Advanced Usage

• Medical Context: The term is often used in contrast to "grand mal" (tonic-clonic) epilepsy. It is also clinically referred to as "absence epilepsy."
  • The EEG confirmed a diagnosis of petit mal epilepsy.

Variants and Related Words

• Absence epilepsy (n): The modern clinical term for petit mal epilepsy.
  • Absence epilepsy is another name for petit mal.
• Petit mal seizure (n): A single episode or attack of this condition.
  • He experienced a petit mal seizure during class.

Synonyms

• Absence epilepsy: The contemporary medical synonym.
• Minor epilepsy: A less common descriptive term.

Notes on Meaning

• The term "petit mal" is French for "little illness" or "minor sickness," distinguishing it from the more severe "grand mal" ("great illness"). While still used, "absence epilepsy" is now the preferred medical terminology.

Noun

1. epilepsy characterized by paroxysmal attacks of brief clouding of consciousness (and possibly other abnormalities)
   • she has been suffering from petit mal since childhood