Definition of refractory

mediate Definition: (verb) to act to reconcile differences between two parties. Petersons.com

Add Word of the Day to your personalized My Yahoo! page: About My Yahoo! and RSS »

Email this page to a friend

< refractor

refrain >

re·frac·to·ry    (r-frkt-r) KEY  

ADJECTIVE:

1. Obstinately resistant to authority or control. See Synonyms at unruly.
2. Difficult to melt or work; resistant to heat: a refractory material such as silica.
3. Resistant to treatment: a refractory case of acne.

NOUN:
pl. re·frac·to·ries

1. One that is refractory.
2. Material that has a high melting point.

---

ETYMOLOGY:
Alteration (influenced by adjectives in -ory ), of obsolete refractary from Latin refrctrius, from refrctus, past participle of refringere, to break up ; see refract

OTHER FORMS:
re·fracto·ri·ly (Adverb), re·fracto·ri·ness (Noun)

Visit our partner's site

	Provided by Houghton Mifflin eReference -- Download this interactive reference software to your desktop computer

Search Dictionary:

More on Yahoo! Education

• Online and On-Campus Degree Programs     MBAs  -  Technology Management  -  Education  -  Health  -  More  • College & Grad School - A Comprehensive Guide     College Search  -  Test Prep  -  Application Tips  -  Scholarship Search