• Refractory

    Pronunciation

    • UK IPA: /ɹɪˈfɹæk.təɹ.i/

    Origin

    From Latin refractārius ("obstinate"), from refractus, past participle of refringere ("to break up"). Originally refractary reanalysed after other adjectives in -ory

    Full definition of refractory

    Adjective

    refractory

    1. Obstinate and unruly; strongly opposed to something.
      • 1787, s:Author:Alexander Hamilton, s:The Federalist Papers Chapter s:The Federalist Papers/No. 16, ... in most instances attempts to coerce the refractory and disobedient have been the signals of bloody wars, ...
      • 1836, Charles Dickens, , ,Mr. Weller knocked at the door, and after a pretty long interval—occupied by the party without, in whistling a tune, and by the party within, in persuading a refractory flat candle to allow itself to be lighted ...
    2. Not affected by great heat.
      • Pure lime is extremely refractory, but readily fusible if any silex is brought in contact with it; ...
    3. (medicine) Difficult to treat.
      • 1949, Albert Fields and John Hoesley, "Neck and Shoulder Pain", Calif. Med., 70(6):478–482.,Many of the vague and refractory cases of neck and shoulder pain and of migraine may be due to cervical disc disease.
      • 1990, H. A. Ring et al, "Vigabatrin: rational treatment for chronic epilepsy", J. Neurol. Neurosurg.Psychiatry, 53(12):1051–1055,In 33 adult patients with long standing refractory epilepsy on treatment with one or two standard anti-convulsant drugs,
    4. (biology) Incapable of registering a reaction or stimulus.

    Synonyms

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    Related terms

    Noun

    refractory

    (plural refractories)
    1. A material or piece of material, such as a brick, that has a very high melting point.
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