heterophil

[ het-er-uh-fil ]
/ ˈhɛt ər ə fɪl /

adjective

Also het·er·o·phil·ic. Immunology. (of an antibody) having an affinity for an antigen other than its specific antigen.

noun

Cell Biology. a neutrophil.
Also het·er·o·phile [het-er-uh-fahyl] /ˈhɛt ər əˌfaɪl/.

Origin of heterophil

First recorded in 1915–20; hetero- + -phil

Words nearby heterophil

heteropathy, heteropatriarchy, heterophagy, heterophasia, heterophemia, heterophil, heterophil antigen, heterophonia, heterophony, heterophoria, heterophthalmus

Medical definitions for heterophil

heterophil
[ hĕt′ə-rō-fĭl′ ]

n.

A granulocyte; in humans, a neutrophil.

adj.

Relating to heterogenetic antigens or to antibodies directed against such antigens.