intractableness

2 definitions found

intractableness - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Intractable \In*tract"a*ble\, a. [L. intractabilis: cf. F.
     intraitable, formerly also intractable. See In- not, and
     Tractable.]
     Not tractable; not easily governed, managed, or directed;
     indisposed to be taught, disciplined, or tamed; violent;
     stubborn; obstinate; refractory; as, an intractable child.
  
     Syn: Stubborn; perverse; obstinate; refractory; cross;
          unmanageable; unruly; headstrong; violent; ungovernable;
          unteachable. -- In*tract"a*ble*ness, n. --
          In*tract"a*bly, adv.
          [1913 Webster]

intractableness - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  intractableness
      n 1: the trait of being hard to influence or control [syn:
           intractability, intractableness] [ant: flexibility,
           tractability, tractableness]