n. [ L. trahere, tractum, to draw: cf. F. traction. ] 1. The act of drawing, or the state of being drawn; as, the traction of a muscle. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Specifically, the act of drawing a body along a plane by motive power, as the drawing of a carriage by men or horses, the towing of a boat by a tug. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Attraction; a drawing toward. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ] 4. The adhesive friction of a wheel on a rail, a rope on a pulley, or the like; as, the car is stuck in the snow because it can;t get any traction. Knight. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]
Angle of traction (Mech.), the angle made with a given plane by the line of direction in which a tractive force acts. --
Traction engine, a locomotive for drawing vehicles on highways or in the fields. [ 1913 Webster ]
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