refractory
[ ri-frak-tuh-ree ]
/ rɪˈfræk tə ri /
adjective
hard or impossible to manage; stubbornly disobedient: a refractory child.
resisting ordinary methods of treatment.
difficult to fuse, reduce, or work, as an ore or metal.
noun, plural re·frac·to·ries.
a material having the ability to retain its physical shape and chemical identity when subjected to high temperatures.
refractories,
bricks of various shapes used in lining furnaces.
Origin of refractory
SYNONYMS FOR refractory
1
obstinate,
perverse,
mulish,
headstrong,
intractable,
disobedient,
recalcitrant,
ungovernable. See
unruly.
OTHER WORDS FROM refractory
re·frac·to·ri·ly, adverb re·frac·to·ri·ness, noun un·re·frac·to·ry, adjectiveWords nearby refractory
Example sentences from the Web for refractory
British Dictionary definitions for refractory
refractory
/ (rɪˈfræktərɪ) /
adjective
unmanageable or obstinate
med
not responding to treatment
(of a material) able to withstand high temperatures without fusion or decomposition
noun plural -ries
a material, such as fireclay or alumina, that is able to withstand high temperatures: used to line furnaces, kilns, etc
Derived forms of refractory
refractorily, adverb refractoriness, nounWord Origin for refractory
C17: variant of obsolete
refractary; see
refract
Medical definitions for refractory
refractory
[ rĭ-frăk′tə-rē ]
adj.
Resistant to treatment, as a disease.
Unresponsive to stimuli, as a muscle or nerve fiber.
Scientific definitions for refractory
refractory
[ rĭ-frăk′tə-rē ]
Having a high melting point. Ceramics that are made from clay and minerals are often refractory, as are metal oxides and carbides. Refractory materials are often used as liners in furnaces.
Resistant to heat.
Of or relating to a refractory period.