# refractory

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ɹɪˈfɹæk.təɹ.i/ · frequency rank #33,817

## Definitions
1. Obstinate and unruly; strongly opposed to something.
2. Not affected by great heat.
3. Resistant to treatment; not responding adequately to therapy.
4. Incapable of registering a reaction or stimulus.

## Etymology
From Latin refractārius (“obstinate”), from refractus, past participle of refringere (“to break up”). Originally refractary, refractarie, but reanalysed after other adjectives in -ory.

## Common misspellings (16)
`erfractory`, `refarctory`, `reffractory`, `refracctory`, `refracotry`, `refractorry`, `refractoryy`, `refractoyr`, `refractroy`, `refracttory`, `refratcory`, `refrcatory`, `refrractory`, `rerfactory`, `rferactory`, `rrefractory`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/refractory