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refractory

   Also found in: Medical, Legal, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.01 sec.
re·frac·to·ry  (r-frkt-r)
adj.
1. Obstinately resistant to authority or control. See Synonyms at unruly.
2. Difficult to melt or work; resistant to heat: a refractory material such as silica.
3. Resistant to treatment: a refractory case of acne.
n. pl. re·frac·to·ries
1. One that is refractory.
2. Material that has a high melting point.

[Alteration (influenced by adjectives in -ory) of obsolete refractary, from Latin refrctrius, from refrctus, past participle of refringere, to break up; see refract.]

re·fracto·ri·ly adv.
re·fracto·ri·ness n.

refractory [rɪˈfræktərɪ]
adj
1. unmanageable or obstinate
2. (Medicine) Med not responding to treatment
3. (Physics / General Physics) (of a material) able to withstand high temperatures without fusion or decomposition
n pl -ries
(Chemistry / Elements & Compounds) a material, such as fireclay or alumina, that is able to withstand high temperatures: used to line furnaces, kilns, etc.
[variant of obsolete refractary; see refract]
refractorily  adv
refractoriness  n

refractory  (r-frkt-r)
1. Having a high melting point. Ceramics that are made from clay and minerals are often refractory, as are metal oxides and carbides. Refractory materials are often used as liners in furnaces.
2. Resistant to heat.
3. Of or relating to a refractory period.
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.refractoryrefractory - lining consisting of material with a high melting point; used to line the inside walls of a furnace
lining, liner - a protective covering that protects an inside surface
fireclay - a heat-resistant clay
alumina, aluminium oxide, aluminum oxide - any of various forms of aluminum oxide occurring naturally as corundum
Adj.1.refractory - not responding to treatment; "a stubborn infection"; "a refractory case of acne"; "stubborn rust stains"
medical specialty, medicine - the branches of medical science that deal with nonsurgical techniques
intractable - not tractable; difficult to manage or mold; "an intractable disposition"; "intractable pain"; "the most intractable issue of our era"; "intractable metal"
2.refractory - temporarily unresponsive or not fully responsive to nervous or sexual stimuli; "the refractory period of a muscle fiber"
unresponsive - not responding to some influence or stimulus
3.refractory - stubbornly resistant to authority or control; "a fractious animal that would not submit to the harness"; "a refractory child"
disobedient - not obeying or complying with commands of those in authority; "disobedient children"

refractory
Translations
refractory [rɪˈfræktərɪ] ADJ
1. (= obstinate) → obstinado
2. (Tech) → refractario
refractory [rɪˈfræktəri] adj (= recalcitrant) → réfractaire
refractory to → réfractaire à
refractory
adj
(Med) → hartnäckig
(Chem, Miner) → hitzebeständig
refractory [rɪˈfræktrɪ] adj (frm) → refrattario/a
refractory [rɪˈfræktrɪ] adj (frm) → refrattario/a


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It has rarely been attempted to be employed, but against the weaker members; and in most instances attempts to coerce the refractory and disobedient have been the signals of bloody wars, in which one half of the confederacy has displayed its banners against the other half.
Weller knocked at the door, and after a pretty long interval--occupied by the party without, in whistling a tune, and by the party within, in persuading a refractory flat candle to allow itself to be lighted--a pair of small boots pattered over the floor-cloth, and Master Bardell presented himself.
I honour the refractory, fastidious tongues and stomachs, which have learned to say "I" and "Yea" and "Nay.
 
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