Definitions for refractory

• Definition
• Anagrams (399)

refractory re·frac·to·ry

Spelling: [ri-frak-tuh-ree]

IPA: /rɪˈfræk tə ri/

Refractory is a 10 letter English word. It's valid Scrabble word worth 18 points. It's valid Words with friends word worth 18 points.

You can make 399 anagrams from letters in refractory (aceforrrty).

Definitions for refractory

noun

1. a material having the ability to retain its physical shape and chemical identity when subjected to high temperatures.
2. refractories, bricks of various shapes used in lining furnaces.

adjective

1. hard or impossible to manage; stubbornly disobedient:
2. resisting ordinary methods of treatment.
3. difficult to fuse, reduce, or work, as an ore or metal.

Origin of refractory

1600-10; variant of refractary (by analogy with adjectives in -ory¹) Latin refrāctārius stubborn, obstinate, equivalent to refrāct(us) (see Examples for refractory

Diagnosed with refractory acute myeloid leukemia at age 7, Sam was very brave but also very sick.

Grace, who was struggling with a refractory window, paused for breath.

No temper is exactly sunny after a struggle with a refractory engine.

Brook shook his head and began to refill his refractory pipe.

Together and with whisperings, they fidgeted with the refractory catch.

James was a refractory and disobedient child from the very cradle.

She tugs and pulls, and thumps the refractory thing on the floor.

She evidently dreaded a meeting with her refractory teacher.

The porters were not always easy to manage, and on some occasions were refractory.

He bid me tell you so, when he went out, if I found you refractory.