refractory
- hard or impossible to manage; stubbornly disobedient: a refractory child.
- resisting ordinary methods of treatment.
- difficult to fuse, reduce, or work, as an ore or metal.
- a material having the ability to retain its physical shape and chemical identity when subjected to high temperatures.
- refractories, bricks of various shapes used in lining furnaces.
Origin of refractory
Synonyms for refractory
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comAntonyms for refractory
Related Words for refractoriness
lawlessness, fractiousness, imprudence, obstinacy, recalcitrance, perverseness, obstreperousness, recklessness, intractability, assertiveness, rebelliousness, impetuousness, orneriness, willfulness, wildness, impulsiveness, unmanageabilityExamples from the Web for refractoriness
Historical Examples of refractoriness
The great Potter is not to be blamed because of the refractoriness of the clay.
The Potter and the ClayArthur F. Winnington Ingram
He is willing to hope you to be all obedience, and would prevent all incitements to refractoriness.
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)Samuel Richardson
This was all he had to offer to the Father in expiation of his contumely and refractoriness, his errors and his falls.
The CathedralJoris-Karl Huysmans
Since all resistance is useless, I lay down my arms although after relapses into refractoriness.
LegendsAugust Strindberg
And he only gave way after Bartek's refractoriness also had been softened by unusual eloquence on Porankiewicz's part.
More Tales by Polish AuthorsVarious
refractory
- unmanageable or obstinate
- med not responding to treatment
- (of a material) able to withstand high temperatures without fusion or decomposition
- a material, such as fireclay or alumina, that is able to withstand high temperatures: used to line furnaces, kilns, etc
Word Origin for refractory
Word Origin and History for refractoriness
refractory
"stubborn, obstinate, perverse," 1610s (earlier refractorious, 1550s, refractary, c.1600), from Latin refractarius "obstinate, stubborn," from past participle stem of refringere (see refraction). Related: Refractorily; refractoriness.
refractory
(rĭ-frăk′tə-rē)- Resistant to treatment, as a disease.
- Unresponsive to stimuli, as a muscle or nerve fiber.
refractory
- 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.
- Resistant to heat.
- Of or relating to a refractory period.