A refractory material or refractory is a material that is resistant to decomposition by heat, pressure, or chemical attack, and retains strength and form at high temperatures. Refractories are polycrystalline, polyphase, inorganic, non-metallic, porous, and heterogeneous.

What does refractory mean in medical terms?

Refractory: Not yielding, or not yielding readily, to treatment.

What does it mean when something is refractory?

1 : resisting control or authority : stubborn, unmanageable. 2a : resistant to treatment or cure a refractory lesion. b : unresponsive to stimulus. c : immune, insusceptible after recovery they were refractory to infection.