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Refractory
01
a material, typically ceramic or mineral-based, used to line furnaces, kilns, incinerators, or reactors due to its ability to withstand extremely high temperatures without melting or degrading
Grammatical Information
Animacy status
Inanimate
Plural form
refractories
Examples
The furnace was lined with a dense refractory to prevent heat loss.
refractory
01
hard to control because of stubbornness
Grammatical Information
Composition
Simple
qualitative
Superlative
most refractory
Comparative
more refractory
gradable
Examples
The refractory student refused to follow classroom rules.
02
(of a system or cell) momentarily inactive or resistant
Examples
After firing, the neuron enters a refractory period during which it can not be stimulated again.
03
(of a condition or disease) resisting therapeutic intervention
Examples
The cancer proved refractory to chemotherapy.
