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traction Definition

trac·tion (trak′s̸hən)

noun

    1. a pulling or drawing, esp. of a load, vehicle, etc. over a road, track, or other surface
    2. the state of being pulled or drawn
    3. the kind of power used for pulling or drawing electric traction
    1. a pulling, as of the muscles of the leg, arm, etc., in order to bring a fractured or dislocated bone into place
    2. a constant pull of this kind maintained by means of some apparatus, as for relieving pressure
  3. 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

traction Related Forms

trac′·tional adjective

traction Synonyms

traction

n.

friction, adhesion, partial adherence; see stress 2.

traction Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • exert: How, then, do they exert this traction?
  • gain: Colorado are also might be able rising interest rates never gained much traction.
  • lose: I get up, my feet lose traction in the muck.

Adjective modifier

  • diesel: Covering diesel traction in Scotland from the Borders through to Wick.
  • electric: Subsequently electric traction returned to parts of the network by a further conversion of heavy rail routes to the Tyne & Wear Metro.
  • cervical: Severe injury may still be treated with a surgical collar, cervical traction, heat or ice.
  • superior: This unique combination provides the SIDEWINDER with superior traction and breaking.
  • gentle: It tends to be more marked with sudden and sustained traction compared to slow, gentle, progressive traction.
  • rear: Cornering performance has also been uprated, as has rear wheel traction.

Modifies a noun

  • motor: The traction motor bolts which caused the Chancery Lane accident were a known problem.
  • kite: It sounds like I should be able to handle the Blade 4.0 for my first traction kite for jumping.
  • engine: Derek Rayner first drove a traction engine in 1963.
  • battery: Your automobile battery is a typical example of a traction battery.
  • control: The traction control made the wheels stick to the dirty winter road.
  • rally: Far more than a traction engine rally, a way of life.

Noun used with modifier

  • steam: However, due to the problems of running steam traction below ground these schemes never reached fruition.
  • rail: The rail traction market remained an important source of Paxman business right up to the end of the 20th century.
  • cord: He cut the cord and we cuddled her, only later realizing that the midwife was applying cord traction.
  • diesel: Snowdon Mountain Railroad Trains Trains may be operated by either steam or diesel traction.
  • railroad: Future developments in fireless steam railroad traction would benefit from such efforts.