refractory — stubborn or heat-resistant; difficult to manage, control, or treat
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: stubborn or heat-resistant; difficult to manage, control, or treat
Pronunciation (IPA): /rɪˈfræktəri/
Example Sentences
- My cat is so refractory that it pretends not to hear me when I call for dinner time.
- The refractory lining of the blast furnace can withstand temperatures over 1500°C.
- His refractory attitude toward technology makes him the only person who still uses a flip phone.
refractory
ADJECTIVE[/rɪˈfræktəri/]
stubborn or heat-resistant; difficult to manage, control, or treat
Every teacher tried — but the refractory student simply refused to be reached.
Reef won't crack in furnace - stays intact, refractory!
Never satisfactory — always refractory and contradictory.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Latin 'refractarius', derived from 'refractus', the past participle of 'refringere' meaning 'to break back' or 'to resist'. The word combines 're-' (back) and 'frangere' (to break), referring to something that resists or breaks back against force or treatment.
Breakdown
re- (back) + fract (break, from Latin frangere) + -ory (adjective suffix meaning 'relating to' or 'serving to') = refractory (tending to break back/resist; stubborn)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My cat is so refractory that it pretends not to hear me when I call for dinner time.”
“The refractory lining of the blast furnace can withstand temperatures over 1500°C.”
“His refractory attitude toward technology makes him the only person who still uses a flip phone.”
“The doctor struggled with the refractory infection that wouldn't respond to antibiotics.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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