ˈpir]sə̇z-, -iə] noun
Usage: usually capitalized P
Etymology: after Newton B. Pierce died 1917 American plant pathologist
: a virus disease of grapes marked by delay in leafing out and interveinal mottling and spotting followed by scalding and blighting of the leaves, premature defoliation, early ripening and withering of the fruit, reduced growth, and eventual death of the vines — called also Anaheim disease, California vine disease ; see alfalfa dwarf