refractory period

American  

noun

Physiology.

1. a short period after a nerve or muscle cell fires during which the cell cannot respond to additional stimulation.

---

refractory period British  

noun

1. a period during which a nerve or muscle is incapable of responding to stimulation, esp immediately following a previous stimulation. In an absolute refractory period there is a total inability to respond; in an effective or relative refractory period there is a response to very large stimuli

---

refractory period Scientific  

1. The period immediately following the transmission of an impulse in nerve or muscle, in which a neuron or muscle cell regains its ability to transmit another impulse.

2. See more at action potential

---

Etymology

Origin of refractory period

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

But the HQ refractory period — six to 18 hours — is just long enough to relax you into a state of optimism about playing again.

From New York Times

It’s like a refractory period for your nose.

From Washington Post

From a purely practical perspective, there is also value in a refractory period — the mind needs time to rest and assimilate the academic year’s content.

From Time

Accordingly, they based their model on neuronal firing – the fact that, once a neuron fires, there’s a refractory period that has to pass before it can fire again.

From Forbes

This propagation of a chemical signal - along with the "refractory period" that keeps it contained within a given cell - means the cells can form networks that function like the brain.

From BBC