pebrine

[ pey-breen ]

noun

1. an infectious disease of silkworms, characterized by a black spotting of the integument and by stunted growth, caused by the protozoan Nosema bomycis.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pebrine¹

1865–70; < French < Provençal pebrino literally, peppery, with reference to the black spots. See pepper, -ine ¹

Example Sentences

In the 1850s, an infectious disease called pébrine threatened to decimate the silkworm population worldwide.

From New York Times

Pebrine, peb′rin, n. a destructive disease of silkworms.—adj.

From Project Gutenberg

In reading the Report made by M. de Quatrefages in 1859, it is exceedingly interesting to observe that his elaborate study of the Pébrine forced the conviction upon his mind that, in its mode of occurrence and propagation, the disease of the silkworm is, in every respect, comparable to the cholera among mankind.

From Project Gutenberg

It is now certain that this devastating, cholera-like Pébrine is the effect of the growth and multiplication of the Panhistophyton in the silkworm.

From Project Gutenberg

There is not a single one of all the apparently capricious and unaccountable phenomena presented by the Pébrine, but has received its explanation from the fact that the disease is the result of the presence of the microscopic organism, Panhistophyton.

From Project Gutenberg