petit mal

[ pet-ee mahl, mal; French puh-tee mal ]

nounPathology.
  1. See under epilepsy.

Origin of petit mal

1
1870–75; <French: literally, small illness

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British Dictionary definitions for petit mal

petit mal

/ (ˈpɛtɪ ˈmæl, French pəti mal) /


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

Origin of petit mal

1
C19: French: little illness

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