a period during which a nerve or muscle is incapable of responding to stimulation, esp immediately following a previous stimulation. In an absolute refractory period there is a total inability to respond; in an effective or relative refractory period there is a response to very large stimuli
refractory period in American English
noun
Physiology
a short period after a nerve or muscle cell fires during which the cell cannot respondto additional stimulation
Word origin
[1875–80]This word is first recorded in the period 1875–80. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: Diaspora, graph, knockabout, musical chairs, pressure point
Examples of 'refractory period' in a sentence
refractory period
The only problem with this strategy is that the refractory period can vary.