A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Refractar, -er, adj. and n. Also: -are, -aire, -or. [L. refractārius obstinate. Cf. Refractarie adj. and F. réfractaire (16th c.).]
A. adj. Only Sc., of persons.
1. Obstinate, stubborn; unmanageable, unco-operative, rebellious. b. ? Strongly opposed to (something).1600-1610 Melvill 69.
A youthe of a grait spreit and ingyne, bot verie commersom and refractar 1604 Elgin Rec. II 122.
The masteris of housis [to] … be poyndit as they be found refractor 1608 Dundonald Par. Rec. 175.
Adam Gray and Jhone Wilsoun war refracter and vnvilling to be reconseilit with thair nychtbouris 1624 Melrose P. 584.b. 1635 Anal. Scot. I 213.
It will be the only meane to mak them refractaire to that, or the like bargane heirafter
2. specif. Unwilling to pay (one's dues, etc.) (to one's craft).1628 Edinb. Surgeons 94.
Walter Cosland is buikit prenteis to Johne Pringill at the ernest requeist … of Mr. John Hay toun clark … not for his masters cause because he is refractar to the craft c1634 Aberd. Trades 223.
Whosoever thereafter speikes without leve … sall pay six shillings … And gif ony be refracter, to be defraudit of thair vote 1659 Glasgow Merchants House 133.
And those who shall be markit as refracter from contributing, to be debared in all tyme coming therfra
B. noun. A refractory or rebellious person. [Cf. 17th c. Eng. refractor (Laud, 1638).]a1651 Calderwood VII 263.
‘I am informed,’ said the king, ‘ye are a refractare: the Bishop of Glasco … and the Bishop of Caithness … testifie that yee have keeped noe order’
