Nearby Words

intractable

[in-trak-tuh-buhl] Origin

in·trac·ta·ble

[in-trak-tuh-buhl]
adjective
1.
not easily controlled or directed; not docile or manageable; stubborn; obstinate: an intractable disposition.
2.
(of things) hard to shape or work with: an intractable metal.
3.
hard to treat, relieve, or cure: the intractable pain in his leg.
noun
4.
an intractable person.

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Intractable is a GRE word you need to know.
So is contentious. Does it mean:
perplexing and mysterious
tending to argument or strife

Origin:
1535–45; < Latin intractābilis. See in-3, tractable

in·trac·ta·bil·i·ty, in·trac·ta·ble·ness, noun
in·trac·ta·bly, adverb


1. perverse, headstrong, dogged, obdurate, stony, willful, froward. 1, 2. fractious, refractory, unbending, inflexible, adamant, unyielding. See unruly.


1. amiable. 1, 2. amenable, flexible.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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World English Dictionary
intractable (ɪnˈtræktəbəl)
 
adj
1.  difficult to influence or direct: an intractable disposition
2.  (of a problem, illness, etc) difficult to solve, alleviate, or cure
3.  difficult to shape or mould, esp with the hands
 
intracta'bility
 
n
 
in'tractableness
 
n
 
in'tractably
 
adv

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

intractable
1545, from L. intractabilis "not to be handled," from in- "not" + tractabilis (see tractable).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

intractable in·trac·ta·ble (ĭn-trāk'tə-bəl)
adj.

  1. Difficult to manage or govern; stubborn.

  2. Difficult to alleviate, remedy, or cure.


in·trac'ta·bil'i·ty n.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
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