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refractory

6 ENTRIES FOUND:

1re·frac·to·ry

adj \ri-ˈfrak-t(ə-)rē\

Definition of REFRACTORY

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
re·frac·to·ri·ly \-t(ə-)rə-lē; ˌrē-ˌfrak-ˈtr-ə-lē, ri-\ adverb
re·frac·to·ri·ness \ri-ˈfrak-t(ə-)rē-nəs\ noun

Examples of REFRACTORY

  1. <refractory players will be ejected from the game>
  2. <believing that rules are only for other people, he's been refractory virtually his entire life>

Origin of REFRACTORY

alteration of refractary, from Latin refractarius, irregular from refragari to oppose, from re- + -fragari (as in suffragari to support with one's vote)
First Known Use: 1606

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