traction
/'trækʃn/
Definition
- Noun:
- The act of pulling on a limb or bone: In medicine, especially orthopedics, "traction" refers to the therapeutic application of a pulling force to a fractured or dislocated limb to align the bones or relieve pressure.
- The grip or adhesive friction between a body and a surface: In physics and engineering, "traction" is the friction that enables a moving object, like a wheel or tire, to grip a surface without slipping.
Usage Examples
Noun (Medical):
- After the accident, his broken femur required traction for proper alignment.
- The patient was in traction for three weeks to stabilize her spine.
Noun (Physical/Mechanical):
- The car's new tires provide excellent traction on wet roads.
- The locomotive's wheels lost traction on the icy rails, causing a slip.
Advanced Usage
"To gain traction": To become more popular, accepted, or effective.
- The new political movement is starting to gain traction among young voters.
- Our marketing campaign finally gained traction in the second quarter.
"To lose traction": To become less effective, popular, or to physically lose grip.
- The debate lost traction after the main speaker withdrew.
- The race car lost traction on the final turn and spun out.
Variants and Related Words
Tractional (adjective): Pertaining to or involving traction.
- The tractional force was measured in the laboratory.
Tractive (adjective): Having the power of pulling or drawing.
- The tractive effort of the engine was insufficient for the steep grade.
Synonyms
- Grip: The ability to hold onto a surface.
- Adhesion: The action or process of adhering to a surface or object.
- Pull: The act of applying force to move something towards the force.
Related Phrases
Traction control: An automotive system that prevents wheel spin by reducing engine power or applying brakes when loss of traction is detected.
- Modern cars are equipped with electronic traction control for safety.
Traction engine: A steam-powered vehicle used historically for heavy hauling.
- The museum has a beautifully restored Victorian traction engine.
Noun
-
(orthopedics) the act of pulling on a bone or limb (as in a fracture) to relieve pressure or align parts in a special way during healing
-
his leg was in traction for several days
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the friction between a body and the surface on which it moves (as between an automobile tire and the road)
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