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The type of seizure characterized by staring spells and subtle body movements is the absence seizure. This type of seizure, often seen in children, is typically brief and involves a sudden stop in activity and a loss of awareness. During an absence seizure, the individual may appear to be staring into space for several seconds and may exhibit subtle body movements such as eye blinking or lip smacking. These episodes can occur multiple times a day and often go unnoticed because they are so brief and may happen during everyday activities.

By contrast, grand mal seizures, also known as tonic-clonic seizures, involve a loss of consciousness, convulsions, and muscle rigidity. Tonic seizures typically include sustained muscle contractions and may not exhibit the subtle movements seen in absence seizures. Focal seizures are localized and can have varied manifestations depending on the area of the brain affected, often resulting in more pronounced motor symptoms or altered consciousness.

Overall, absence seizures are uniquely defined by their subtle presentation, which includes periods of unresponsiveness and minor movements, setting them apart from the other types of seizures.