Definition of: refractory

(ri·frak′tər·ē) adjective
1. Not amenable to control; disobedient; unmanageable; obstinate.
2. Resisting ordinary methods of reduction: said of an ore. See synonyms under OBSTINATE, REBELLIOUS, RESTIVE, TURBULENT.
—noun plural ·ries
1. A refractory or obstinate person or thing.
2. Any of various materials highly resistant to the action of great heat, as fireclay, graphite, magnesite, etc. [<L refractarius]
—re·frac′to·ri·ly adverb
—re·frac′·to·ri·ness noun