petit mal seizure; absence seizure
Medical term for a brief, mild epileptic seizure with momentary loss of awareness. Contrasts with 大発作 (grand mal seizure).
See also: 大発作
Petit mal seizures are characterized by brief loss of consciousness.
Compound of 小 (small, minor) and 発作 (seizure, attack). The term is a direct calque of the medical concept 'petit mal'.