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Definition of refractory adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

refractory

adjective
 
/rɪˈfræktəri/
 
/rɪˈfræktəri/
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  1. (formal) (of a person) difficult to control; behaving badly
  2. (medical) (of a disease or medical condition) difficult to treat or cure
    3. Word Originearly 17th cent.: alteration of obsolete refractary, from Latin refractarius ‘stubborn’ (see also refract).
See refractory in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
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Nearby words

fever
noun
 
 
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