A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
(Pre-,) Praefractoriness, n. [f. L. præfract-us abrupt, stern, inflexible, p.p. of præfringere to break off abruptly, whence also e.m.E. prefract(e adj. (1555–1608) stubborn, obstinate, altered to conform to the synonymous e.m.E. refractory adj. (1613).] Stubbornness, obstinacy. —1680 Lauder Observes 11.
This was no argument of a good cause, but might proceed … from ostentation, and a stubborne præfractoriness and stifnes of humor
