petit mal

(noun) epilepsy characterized by paroxysmal attacks of brief clouding of consciousness (and possibly other abnormalities). Synonyms: petit mal epilepsy, epilepsia minor. Example: "She has been suffering from petit mal since childhood."

(noun) a seizure of short duration characterized by momentary unconsciousness and local muscle spasms or twitching. Synonyms: epilepsia minor. Example: "The girl was frightened by her first petit mal."