Petit mal \Pe*tit" mal"\ [F., lit., little sickness.] (Med.) The mildest form of epilepsy, with momentary faintness or unconsciousness, but without convulsions; -- opposed to {grand mal}.
petit mal n : a seizure (or a type of epilepsy characterized by such seizures) of short duration characterized by momentary unconsciousness and local muscle spasms or twitching [syn: {epilepsia minor}]