refractory

[ ri-frak-tuh-ree ]

adjective

1. hard or impossible to manage; stubbornly disobedient:

   a refractory child.

   Synonyms: ungovernable, recalcitrant, disobedient, intractable, headstrong, mulish, perverse, obstinate

   Antonyms: tractable, obedient

2. resisting ordinary methods of treatment.
3. difficult to fuse, reduce, or work, as an ore or metal.

noun

, plural re·frac·to·ries.

1. a material having the ability to retain its physical shape and chemical identity when subjected to high temperatures.
2. refractories, bricks of various shapes used in lining furnaces.

refractory

/ rɪˈfræktərɪ /

adjective

1. unmanageable or obstinate
2. med not responding to treatment
3. (of a material) able to withstand high temperatures without fusion or decomposition

noun

1. a material, such as fireclay or alumina, that is able to withstand high temperatures: used to line furnaces, kilns, etc

refractory

/ rĭ-frăk′tə-rē /

1. 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.
2. Resistant to heat.
3. Of or relating to a refractory period.

Derived Forms

• reˈfractorily, adverb
• reˈfractoriness, noun

Other Words From

• re·fracto·ri·ly adverb
• re·fracto·ri·ness noun
• unre·fracto·ry adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of refractory¹

First recorded in 1600–10; variant of refractary (by analogy with adjectives in -ory ¹ ), from Latin refrāctārius “stubborn, obstinate,” equivalent to refrāct(us) ( refract ) + -ārius -ary

Word History and Origins

Origin of refractory¹

C17: variant of obsolete refractary ; see refract

Synonym Study

See unruly.

Example Sentences

"The prospect of changing the alloy and including other refractory metals to enhance the composite for nuclear applications is particularly exciting."

From Science Daily

"Creating a refractory metal composite with these features of well-controlled hydrogen handling combined with erosion resistance and general material resilience is a breakthrough for the design of plasma devices and fusion energy systems," Schmitz says.

From Science Daily

He said the medical cause of Benn's death was "refractory cardiogenic shock due to taxane alkaloid poisoning, following ingestion of yew tree berries and leaves".

From BBC

The study leaders say that these trials demonstrate a clear clinical benefit of the dual treatment, with the recommendation being that it become a first-line treatment for BM-LGG and a clinical option for those with relapsed/refractory BM-HGG.

From Science Daily

In order to collect the data, researchers turned to a group of patients who have refractory epilepsy, currently untreatable by medication.

From Science Daily