Refractory \Re*frac"to*ry\ (-r?), a. [L. refractorius, fr.
   refringere: cf. F. refractaire. See {Refract}.]
   1. Obstinate in disobedience; contumacious; stubborn;
      unmanageable; as, a refractory child; a refractory beast.
      
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            Raging appetites that are
            Most disobedient and refractory.      --Shak.
      
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   2. Resisting ordinary treatment; difficult of fusion,
      reduction, or the like; -- said especially of metals and
      the like, which do not readily yield to heat, or to the
      hammer; as, a refractory ore.
      
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   Syn: Perverse; contumacious; unruly; stubborn; obstinate;
        unyielding; ungovernable; unmanageable.
        
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Refractory \Re*frac"to*ry\, n.
   1. A refractory person. --Bp. Hall.
      
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   2. Refractoriness. [Obs.] --Jer. TAylor.
      
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   3. OPottery) A piece of ware covered with a vaporable flux
      and placed in a kiln, to communicate a glaze to the other
      articles. --Knight.
      
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