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.
Quotation dates: 1623-1700+
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Refractive, adj. [Cf. 17th c. Eng. refractive that refracts light (1673), Late L. refractīvus, F. réfractif, -ive (1706 in Larousse). Cf., also, 19th c. Eng. refractiveness refractoriness.] = Refractar adj. 1. In this sense, only Sc. 1623 Perth Kirk S. MS 20 Oct.
And sua the sessioun hes found him weray refractiue 1684 Marischal Coll. Rec. 356.
Heawing respect to such … rasonabell demands, I wold not be refractive 1696 Dumfr. & Galloway Soc. 3 Ser. XXXVI 43.
[The] Dutches of Buccleugh is refractive in furnishing her proportion [i.e. her share of a levy] c1705 Nimmo Narr. 19. — 1669 Glasgow B. Rec. III 124.
The counsell, not being willing to be refractive to any libertie grantit … heirtofoir
b. Reluctant (to do something); resistant. = Refractory adj. b. 1674 Edinb. B. Rec. X 188.
There [sc. the deacons'] being refractive to give dew attendance [at kirk session meetings] may prove a dangerous preparative [etc.]
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"Refractive adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/refractive>
