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Webster's New World College Dictionary » traction
traction
traction definition
trac·tion (trak′s̸hən)
noun
- a pulling or drawing, esp. of a load, vehicle, etc. over a road, track, or other surface
- the state of being pulled or drawn
- the kind of power used for pulling or drawing electric traction
- a pulling, as of the muscles of the leg, arm, etc., in order to bring a fractured or dislocated bone into place
- a constant pull of this kind maintained by means of some apparatus, as for relieving pressure
- the power, as of tires on pavement, to grip or hold to a surface while moving, without slipping
Etymology: ML tractio < L tractus, pp. of trahere, to draw
Related Forms:
- tractional trac′·tional adjective
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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