Origin: Latin suffix -ory
Refractory has 6 different meanings across 2 categories:
lining consisting of material with a high melting point; used to line the inside walls of a furnace
"The mason carefully packed the refractory lining into the furnace before firing it up for the next batch."
A material or piece of material, such as a brick, that has a very high melting point.
"The furnace lining was rebuilt using refractory bricks to withstand the extreme temperatures without cracking."
not responding to treatment
"a stubborn infection"
"a refractory case of acne"
"stubborn rust stains"
temporarily unresponsive or not fully responsive to a process or stimulus
"the refractory period of a muscle fiber"
stubbornly resistant to authority or control
"a fractious animal that would not submit to the harness"
"a refractory child"
Obstinate and unruly; strongly opposed to something.
"The refractory student refused to follow any of the teacher's instructions, making classroom management nearly impossible."