— intractability, intractableness , n. — intractably , adv.
/in trak"teuh beuhl/ , adj.
1. not easily controlled or directed; not docile or manageable; stubborn; obstinate: an intractable disposition.
2. (of things) hard to shape or work with: an intractable metal.
3. hard to treat, relieve, or cure: the intractable pain in his leg.
n.
4. an intractable person.
[ 1535-45; intractabilis. See IN- 3 , TRACTABLE ]
Syn. 1. perverse, headstrong, dogged, obdurate, stony, willful, froward. 1, 2 . fractious, refractory, unbending, inflexible, adamant, unyielding. See unruly .
Ant. 1. amiable. 1, 2 . amenable, flexible.