What is "grand mal"

"convulsive epilepsy" (with loss of consciousness), 1842, from French grand mal, literally "great sickness" (see grand (adj.)). Opposed to petit mal "absence seizure."

n. A form of epilepsy where the seizures are characterized as severe and involve spasms and unconsciousness. A formal medical term would be tonic-clonic seizures.

n. a seizure (or a type of epilepsy characterized by such seizures) during which the patient becomes unconscious and has convulsions over the entire body [syn: generalized seizure, epilepsia major]

Grand Mal is an American rock band, formed by Bill Whitten in New York City in 1995 and has recorded for No.6 Records, Slash/ London Records, Arena Rock Recording Co., New York Night Train and Groover Recordings.

Grand Mal may refer to:

• Grand Mal (New York City band), an alternative rock band
• Grand Mal (San Francisco band), a punk rock band
• Grand mal seizure, a seizure that affects the entire brain