refractory

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 28, 2008 is: refractory • \rih-FRAK-tuh-ree\  • adjective 1 : resisting control or authority : stubborn, unmanageable 2 a : resistant to treatment or cure b : unresponsive to stimulus c : immune, insusceptible 3 : difficult to fuse, corrode, or draw out; especially : capable of enduring high temperature Examples: Refractory students may be disciplined, suspended, or expelled, depending on the seriousness of their offense. Did you know? "Refractory" is from the Latin word "refractarius." During the 17th century, it was sometimes spelled as "refractary," but that spelling, though more in keeping with its Latin parent, had fallen out of use by the century's end. "Refractarius," like "refractory," is the result of a slight variation in spelling. It stems from the Latin verb "refragari," meaning "to oppose." See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.