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petit mal

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

noun

Pathology.
  1. epilepsy


petit mal

/ ˈpɛtɪ ˈmæl; 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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of petit mal1

1870–75; < French: literally, small illness
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Word History and Origins

Origin of petit mal1

C19: French: little illness
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Compare Meanings

How does petit mal compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

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