Acting as a rebel, or having the disposition of one; defying lawful authority; openly disobedient or insubordinate.Pertaining to or characteristic of a rebel or rebellion; of rebel character, relation, or use.Hard to treat or deal with; resisting effort or operation; refractory: applied to things.Synonyms Insubordinate, disobedient. See insurgent, n., and insurrection.Specifically, in metallurgy, difficult to reduce; requiring extra manipulation or extreme heat: said of ores from which it is difficult to separate the metal.