Adjective: refractory ri'frak-t(u-)ree
- Not responding to treatment
"a refractory case of acne";
- stubborn
- Temporarily unresponsive or not fully responsive to a process or stimulus
"the refractory period of a muscle fibre"
- Stubbornly resistant to authority or control
"a refractory child";
- fractious, recalcitrant, incalcitrant [non-standard]
- Lining consisting of material with a high melting point; used to line the inside walls of a furnace
"The refractory needed to be replaced due to wear from extreme temperatures";
- furnace lining
Derived forms: refractories
See also: disobedient, intractable, unresponsive
Encyclopedia: Refractory