I. ri-ˈfrak-t(ə-)rē 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-)rə-lē; ˌrē-ˌfrak-ˈtȯr-ə-lē, ri- adverb
• re·frac·to·ri·ness ri-ˈfrak-t(ə-)rē-nəs noun
II. noun
( plural -ries )
Date: 1627
: a refractory person or thing ; especially : a heat-resisting ceramic material