REFRACT'ORY, adjective [Latin refractarius, from refragor, to resist; re and fragor, from frango.] 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, noun 1. A person obstinate in opposition or disobedience. 2. Obstinate opposition. [Not used.]
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI