refractory

C1 · Advanced Medicine Technical

adj. describing a disease or medical condition that does not get better with normal treatment.

adj. resistant to treatment or stimulus; failing to respond adequately to therapeutic intervention.

“The patient was diagnosed with a refractory form of the disease that did not respond to antibiotics.”

“Clinical trials are currently focusing on patients with refractory leukemia who have exhausted all standard chemotherapy options.”

C2 · Proficiency Science Technical

adj. able to stay strong and not melt even at very high temperatures.

adj. capable of enduring high temperatures without fusing or decomposing.

“The spacecraft was protected by a refractory shield that could survive the heat of re-entry.”

“Refractory metals like tungsten are essential for components that must operate in the extreme heat of jet engines.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Science Technical

n. a material, like a special brick, that can survive very high heat without melting.

n. a substance, such as a ceramic or brick, that is resistant to high temperatures and used to line furnaces.

“The workers replaced the old refractories inside the glass-making furnace.”

“The efficiency of the blast furnace depends largely on the quality of the refractory used to line its interior walls.”