refractory — English Dictionary

Adjective

1. Obstinate and unruly; strongly opposed to something.

   Synonyms

   contraryfractious

   Examples

   […] in most instances attempts to coerce the refractory and disobedient have been the signals of bloody wars, […]

   More examples (2)

   Mr. 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 […]

   For five minutes Pollyanna worked swiftly, deftly, combing a refractory curl into fluffiness, perking up a drooping ruffle at the neck, or shaking a pillow into plumpness so that the head might have a better pose. Meanwhile the sick woman, frowning prodigiously, and openly scoffing at the whole procedure, was, in spite of herself, beginning to tingle with a feeling perilously near to excitement.

   And the camels galled, sore-footed, refractory, Lying down in the melting snow.

2. Not affected by great heat.

   Synonyms

   heat-resistantfireproof

   Examples

   Pure lime is extremely refractory, but readily fusible if any silex is brought in contact with it; […]

   There are also over 1,200 pallet brick wagons used for the conveyance of refractory bricks.

3. Resistant to treatment; not responding adequately to therapy.

   Examples

   Many of the vague and refractory cases of neck and shoulder pain and of migraine may be due to cervical disc disease.

   In 33 adult patients with long standing refractory epilepsy on treatment with one or two standard anti-convulsant drugs,

4. Incapable of registering a reaction or stimulus.

   Examples

   The production of a generator potential leaves a refractory state in the receptor membrane […]

   More examples (1)

   The […] delivery of external stimuli […] delineates the pacemaker refractory period after the emission of a pacing stimulus and after the sensing of a spontaneous beat.

Noun

1. A material or piece of material, such as a brick, that has a very high melting point.

2. A plant or factory that produces such material.

Adjective

1. not responding to treatment

   Synonyms

   stubborn

   Examples

   a stubborn infection

   a refractory case of acne

   More examples (1)

   stubborn rust stains

2. temporarily unresponsive or not fully responsive to a process or stimulus

   Examples

   the refractory period of a muscle fiber

3. stubbornly resistant to authority or control

   Synonyms

   fractiousrecalcitrant

   Examples

   a fractious animal that would not submit to the harness

   a refractory child

Noun

1. lining consisting of material with a high melting point; used to line the inside walls of a furnace

   Synonyms

   furnace lining

   Broader terms

   liningliner