Refractory (-r?), a. [L. refractorius, fr. refringere: cf. F. refractaire. See Refract.] 1. Obstinate in disobedience; contumacious; stubborn; unmanageable; as, a refractory child; a refractory beast.[1913 Webster]
Raging appetites that areMost disobedient and refractory.
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.[1913 Webster]
Syn. -- Perverse; contumacious; unruly; stubborn; obstinate; unyielding; ungovernable; unmanageable.[1913 Webster]
Refractory, n. 1. A refractory person. Bp. Hall.[1913 Webster]
2. Refractoriness. [Obs.] Jer. TAylor.[1913 Webster]
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.[1913 Webster]