View synonyms for refractory

refractory

[ ri-frak-tuh-ree ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

hard or impossible to manage; stubbornly disobedient:
a refractory child.
Synonyms: ungovernable, recalcitrant, disobedient, intractable, headstrong, mulish, perverse, obstinate
Antonyms: tractable, obedient
resisting ordinary methods of treatment.
difficult to fuse, reduce, or work, as an ore or metal.

noun

, plural re·frac·to·ries.

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.

refractory

/ rɪˈfræktərɪ /

adjective

unmanageable or obstinate
med not responding to treatment
(of a material) able to withstand high temperatures without fusion or decomposition

noun

a material, such as fireclay or alumina, that is able to withstand high temperatures: used to line furnaces, kilns, etc

refractory

/ rĭ-frăk′tə-rē /

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.

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Derived Forms

reˈfractorily, adverb
reˈfractoriness, noun

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Other Words From

re·fracto·ri·ly adverb
re·fracto·ri·ness noun
unre·fracto·ry adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of refractory¹

First recorded in 1600–10; variant of refractary (by analogy with adjectives in -ory ¹ ), from Latin refrāctārius “stubborn, obstinate,” equivalent to refrāct(us) ( refract ) + -ārius -ary

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Word History and Origins

Origin of refractory¹

C17: variant of obsolete refractary ; see refract

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Synonym Study

See unruly.

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