refractorily
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Related to refractorily: refractory anemia, refractory period, refractory cement, Refractory brick, refractory materials, refractory hypertension, Refractory metals
re·frac·to·ry
(rĭ-frăk′tə-rē)adj.
1. Showing or characterized by obstinate resistance to authority or control: refractory children; refractory behavior.
2. Difficult to melt or work; resistant to heat: a refractory material such as silica.
3. Resistant to treatment: a refractory case of acne.
n. pl. re·frac·to·ries
One that is refractory, especially a material that has a high melting point.
[Alteration (influenced by adjectives in -ory) of obsolete refractary, from Latin refrāctārius, from refrāctus, past participle of refringere, to break up; see refract.]
re·frac′to·ri·ly adv.
re·frac′to·ri·ness n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.