Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Refractory
1.
Obstinate in disobedience; contumacious; stubborn; unmanageable;
as, a
. refractory
child; a refractory
beastRaging appetites that are
Most disobedient and
Most disobedient and
refractory
. Shakespeare
2.
Resisting ordinary treatment; difficult of fusion, reduction, or the like; – said especially of metals and the like, which do not readily yield to heat, or to the hammer;
as, a
. refractory
ore
Syn. – Perverse; contumacious; unruly; stubborn; obstinate; unyielding; ungovernable; unmanageable.
Re-frac′to-ry
,Noun.
1.
A refractory person.
Bp. Hall.
2.
Refractoriness.
[Obs.]
Jer. TAylor.
3.
OPottery) A piece of ware covered with a vaporable flux and placed in a kiln, to communicate a glaze to the other articles.
Knight.
Webster 1828 Edition
Refractory
REFRACT'ORY
,Adj.
1.
Sullen or perverse in opposition or disobedience; obstinate in non-compliance; as a refractory child; a refractory servant.Raging appetites that are most disobedient and refractory.
2.
Unmanageable; obstinately unyielding; as a refractory beast.3.
Applied to metals, difficult of fusion; not easily yielding to the force of heat.REFRACT'ORY
, n.1.
A person obstinate in opposition or disobedience.2.
Obstinate opposition. [Not used.]