heterophil /het·ero·phil/ (het´er-o-fil″)
heterophil
1. a granular leukocyte represented by neutrophils in humans, but characterized in other mammals by granules which have variable sizes and staining characteristics.
2. heterophilic.
het·er·o·phil (h t  -r -f l ) or het·er·o·phile (-f l)n. A granulocyte; in humans, a neutrophil. adj. Relating to heterogenetic antigens or to antibodies directed against such antigens. |
heterophil
[het′ərofil′]
Etymology: Gk, heteros + philein, to love
having affinity for something unusual or abnormal, as an antibody that recognizes an antigen other than the one it is expected to challenge. Also spelled heterophile [-fīl′] .
heterophil
1. a finely granular polymorphonuclear leukocyte represented by neutrophils in humans, but characterized in other mammals by granules (lysosomes) that have variable sizes and staining characteristics.
2. heterophilic.
heterophil antigen
see heterogenetic antigen.
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