(n)any of various anemic conditions that are not successfully treated by any means other than blood transfusions (and that are not associated with another primary disease), Syn.refractory anaemia
a. [ L. refractorius, fr. refringere: cf. F. refractaire. See Refract. ] 1. Obstinate in disobedience; contumacious; stubborn; unmanageable; as, a refractory child; a refractory beast. [ 1913 Webster ]
Raging appetites that are Most disobedient and refractory. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. Resisting ordinary treatment; difficult of fusion, reduction, or the like; -- said especially of metals and the like, which do not readily yield to heat, or to the hammer; as, a refractory ore. [ 1913 Webster ]
3. OPottery) A piece of ware covered with a vaporable flux and placed in a kiln, to communicate a glaze to the other articles. Knight. [ 1913 Webster ]