grand mal
noun
ˈgrän(d)-ˌmäl 
ˈgräⁿ-ˌmäl,
-ˌmal;
ˈgran(d)-ˌmal
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
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 
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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
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 29 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
grand mal
noun
ˈgrän(d)-ˌmäl
ˈgräⁿ-ˌmäl
ˈgräⁿ-ˌmäl
-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
Cicero A. Estrella, San Francisco ChronicleLove words? Need even more definitions?
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