heterophile
adjective
het·ero·phile
ˈhe-tə-rə-ˌfī(-ə)l 
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
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“Heterophile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heterophile. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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heterophile
1 of 2 adjective
het·ero·phile
ˈhet-ə-rə-ˌfīl
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
Carey-Ann D. Burnham et al., in The Immunoassay Handbook: Theory and applications of ligand binding, ELISA and related techniquesLove words? Need even more definitions?
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