heterophile

adjective

het·​ero·​phile ˈhe-tə-rə-ˌfī(-ə)l How to pronounce heterophile (audio)
variants or heterophilic or less commonly heterophil
: of, relating to, or being an antibody circulating in blood serum that is reactive with antigen originating in a different species

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of heterophile was in 1920

Dictionary Entries Near heterophile

Cite this Entry

“Heterophile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heterophile. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

heterophile

1 of 2 adjective
het·​ero·​phile ˈhet-ə-rə-ˌfīl How to pronounce heterophile (audio)
variants or heterophilic also heterophil
: of, relating to, or being an antibody circulating in blood serum that is reactive with usually weak antigen originating in a different species
Even though heterophile antibodies have nothing to do with EBV [Epstein-Barr virus] … heterophile antibody tests remain the principal method to diagnose IM [infectious mononucleosis] …Carey-Ann D. Burnham et al., in The Immunoassay Handbook: Theory and applications of ligand binding, ELISA and related techniques

heterophile

2 of 2 noun
variants or heterophil
: neutrophil
used especially in veterinary medicine
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