grand mal

noun

ˈgrän(d)-ˌmäl How to pronounce grand mal (audio)
ˈgräⁿ-ˌmäl,
-ˌmal;
ˈgran(d)-ˌmal How to pronounce grand mal (audio)
1
or grand mal epilepsy : severe epilepsy characterized by seizures in which there is an abrupt loss of consciousness with initially prolonged tonic muscle contractions followed by clonic muscle spasms
2
or grand mal seizure : a seizure marked by abrupt loss of consciousness with initially prolonged tonic muscle contractions followed by clonic muscle spasms

Examples of grand mal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The person having a grand mal seizure may fall to the ground, have abnormal movements, cry out, or even become unconscious. Smita Patel, Verywell Health, 19 July 2024 Shields then went into a restaurant and suffered a grand mal seizure (ie: the really bad-looking kind). Vulture, 1 Nov. 2023 Some children have grand mal seizures; others walk in a way that is reminiscent of Parkinson’s Disease. Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 20 June 2023 What causes a grand mal seizure? Patti Greco, Health.com, 9 Nov. 2021 See all Example Sentences for grand mal 

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, great illness

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of grand mal was in 1833

Dictionary Entries Near grand mal

Cite this Entry

“Grand mal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grand%20mal. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

grand mal

noun
ˈgrän(d)-ˌmäl How to pronounce grand mal (audio) ˈgräⁿ-ˌmäl How to pronounce grand mal (audio)
-ˌmal; ˈgran(d)-ˌmal
1
or grand mal epilepsy : severe epilepsy characterized by tonic-clonic seizures : tonic-clonic epilepsy
2
or grand mal seizure : a tonic-clonic seizure
She estimates having had about 25 grand mals and 100 smaller-scale seizures since.Cicero A. Estrella, San Francisco Chronicle
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