re ‧ frac ‧ to ‧ ry /rɪˈfrækt ə ri/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: refractarius , from refragari 'to oppose' ]
1 . formal deliberately not obeying someone in authority and being difficult to deal with or control SYN unruly
2 . medical a refractory disease or illness is hard to treat or cure