TRACTION • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Traction

Add this Dictionary
to your website!
See more options...

/trˈækʃən/ Listen

noun

Traction n.

The act of drawing, or the state of being drawn; as, the traction of a muscle.

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.

Attraction; a drawing toward. (R.)

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.

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.

See images of 'Traction'

Etymology of 'Traction'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

Share |

Add this dictionary
to your browser search bar

"Traction" Quotes from Famous Books

... of the constable, and the long rumble of the Southwark-bound omnibus. Sometimes a stray motor-car would hoot and jangle in the distance, swelling to a clatter as it passed, and falling away in a pathetic diminuendo. A traction-engine grumbled its way along, shaking foundations and setting bed and ornaments a-trembling. Then came the blustering excitement of chucking-out at the "Galloping Horses." Half a dozen wanted to fight; ...

— Nights in London • Thomas Burke

... And I wore myself to a shadow trying to husband Jenny, rosy Jenny full of the ardor of life. For all my wisdom and grace of mind Gave her no delight at all, in very truth, But ever and anon she spoke of the giant strength Of Willard Shafer, and of his wonderful feat Of lifting a traction engine out of the ditch One time at Georgie Kirby's. So Jenny inherited my fortune and married Willard— That mount ...

— Spoon River Anthology • Edgar Lee Masters

... demonstrates that notwithstanding man's vast number of scientific aids, animals are still invaluable. The innumerable mechanical and electrical devices unknown ten years ago, such as enormous rapid-firing guns, walking "Willies," wireless machines, traction engines, smokeless and noiseless powder, silent-sleepers and tear-bombs, all of these have greatly increased man's power of offence and defence, yet with all these ultra-modern improvements, animals are absolutely essential in waging a ...

— The Human Side of Animals • Royal Dixon

... wings of the stage, under the traction of the breathless doorkeeper, he was conscious of the falling of the curtain, and of the noisiest noise beyond the curtain ...

— A Great Man - A Frolic • Arnold Bennett

... that by the use of copper wiring electric power could be carried great distances. A line twenty-five miles long bore from the American River Falls, at Folsom, California, to Sacramento, a current which the city found ample for traction, light, and power. Niagara Falls was harnessed to colossal generators, whose product was transmitted to neighboring cities and manufactories. Loss en route was at first considerable, but cunning devices ...

— History of the United States, Volume 5 • E. Benjamin Andrews

More quotes...