traction

/'trækʃn/

Thân thiện

The doctor applied traction to the patient's fractured leg.

Definition

1. 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.

Học thuật

Noun

1. (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
2. the friction between a body and the surface on which it moves (as between an automobile tire and the road)

Từ đồng nghĩa

• grip
• adhesive friction