Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Topic: ILLNESS AND DISABILITY

Date: 1600-1700
Language: Medieval Latin
Origin: tractio, from Latin trahere 'to pull'

traction

 noun
     
trac‧tion [uncountable]
1MI the process of treating a broken bone with special medical equipment that pulls it
in traction
He was in traction (=receiving this kind of treatment) for weeks after the accident.
2HP the force that prevents something such as a wheel sliding on a surface:
The tires were bald (=completely worn) and lost traction on the wet road.
3TT the type of power needed to make a vehicle move, or to pull a heavy load
Definition of traction from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English within
the topic ILLNESS AND DISABILITY
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