† refractaryadj.n.

Etymology: < classical Latin refractārius obstinate, stubborn (Seneca) < refract- , past participial stem of refringere (see refract v.) + -ārius -ary suffix¹. Compare Middle French, French réfractaire (adjective) obstinate, stubborn (1546; for specific senses in scientific and medical use see refractory adj.), (noun) obstinate person (1560). Compare later refractory adj., refractory n.With the use as noun compare the following earlier occurrence of the Latin word (in plural form) in an English context:1598 in T. G. Law Archpriest Controv. (1896) I. i. 29 They were Refractarij (that was his word) and had no parte of martirs spirite, w^ch was in humilitie and obedience. Occasional recent instances, such as the following, are probably typographical errors for refractory :1983 Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 87 505 We think the result is a step toward a better understanding of the arithmetical jump, a seemingly refractary object to study.1999 C. Levy Gramsci & Anarchists iv. 149 He, too, had little time for the refractaries. The stress of the word appears to have varied between the first syllable and the second syllable (the latter is recorded by N.E.D. (1905)); compare similarly refractory adj. and n. Early evidence for first-syllable stress is shown by:1614 W. Alexander Doomes-day 303 And though he fail'd in compassing his end, Yet here below was refractary still.