adj.
Pronunciation: ri- ' frak-t( ə -)r ē
Function: adjective
Etymology: alteration of refractary, from Latin refractarius, irregular from refragari to oppose, from re- + -fragari (as in suffragari to support with one's vote)
Date: 1606
1 : resisting control or authority : STUBBORN , UNMANAGEABLE
2 a : resistant to treatment or cure <a refractory lesion> b : unresponsive to stimulus c : IMMUNE , INSUSCEPTIBLE <after recovery they were refractory to infection>
3 : difficult to fuse, corrode, or draw out especially : capable of enduring high temperature
synonyms see UNRULY
– re · frac · to · ri · ly \ -t( ə -)r ə -l ē ; ˌ r ē - ˌ frak- ' to ̇ r- ə -l ē , ri- \ adverb
– re · frac · to · ri · ness \ ri- ' frak-t( ə -)r ē -n ə s \ noun