[re.frac.to.ry] adj [alter. of refractary, fr. L refractarius, irreg. fr. refragari to oppose, fr. re- + -fragari (as in suffragari to support with one's vote)] (1606) 1: resisting control or authority: stubborn, unmanageable
2. a: resistant to treatment or cure "a ~ lesion" b: unresponsive to stimulus c: immune, insusceptible "after recovery they were ~ to infection"
3: difficult to fuse, corrode, or draw out; esp: capable of enduring high temperature syn see unruly -- re.frac.to.ri.ly adv -- re.frac.to.ri.ness n
[2]refractory n, pl -ries (1627): a refractory person or thing; esp: a heat-resisting ceramic material