refractoriness

noun

re·​frac·​to·​ri·​ness ri-ˈfrak-t(ə-)rē-nəs How to pronounce refractoriness (audio)
: the insensitivity to further immediate stimulation that develops in irritable and especially nervous tissue as a result of intense or prolonged stimulation

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Cite this Entry

“Refractoriness.” Merriam-Webster.com Medical Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/refractoriness. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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