traction

From Medieval Latin tractio, from Latin tractus, perfect passive participle of verb trahere (“pull”), + noun of action suffix -io (genitive -ionis).

• IPA^(key): /ˈtɹæk.ʃən/
• Rhymes: -ækʃən

traction (usually uncountable, plural tractions)

1. The act of pulling something along a surface using motive power.
2. the condition of being so pulled.
3. Grip.
4. The pulling power of an engine or animal.
5. The adhesive friction of a wheel etc on a surface.
6. (medicine) A mechanically applied sustained pull, especially to a limb.
7. (transport) Collectively, the locomotives of a railroad, especially electric locomotives.
8. (usually after forms of get or have) Progress in or momentum toward achieving a goal.
   1. (business) The extent of adoption of a new product or service, typically measured in number of customers or level of revenue achieved.
   2. (politics) Popular support.

• traction engine
• traction motor
• tractive

• contraction
• subtraction

traction (third-person singular simple present tractions, present participle tractioning, simple past and past participle tractioned)

1. (medicine, transitive) To apply a sustained pull to (a limb, etc.).

• tacitron

Borrowed from Late Latin tractiō, from trahō.

• IPA^(key): /tʁak.sjɔ̃/

• Audio

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traction f (plural tractions)

1. traction
2. (gymnastics) pull-up

• attraction
• tracter
• traire

• “traction” in le Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).