Both Uses of
intractable
in
Gulliver's Travels
- "I understand you well," said my master: "it is now very plain, from all you have spoken, that whatever share of reason the Yahoos pretend to, the Houyhnhnms are your masters; I heartily wish our Yahoos would be so tractable."†
Chpt 4 *
- …brutes, as industry is taught by the ant, and building by the swallow (for so I translate the word lyhannh, although it be a much larger fowl); that this invention might be practised upon the younger Yahoos here, which besides rendering them tractable and fitter for use, would in an age put an end to the whole species, without destroying life; that in the mean time the Houyhnhnms should be exhorted to cultivate the breed of asses, which, as they are in all respects more valuable…†
Chpt 4
Definition:
-
(intractable) difficultin various senses, including:
- of problems or disease -- difficult to solve or cure
- of people or animals -- difficult to manage or control
- of materials -- difficult to manipulate