Traction engine

Traction engine
Traction Trac"tion, n. [L. trahere, tractum, to draw: cf. F. traction.] 1. The act of drawing, or the state of being drawn; as, the traction of a muscle. [1913 Webster]

2. 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. [1913 Webster]

3. Attraction; a drawing toward. [R.] [1913 Webster]

4. 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. --Knight. [1913 Webster +PJC]

{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. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • traction engine — traction ,engine noun count a vehicle used in the past for pulling heavy loads …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • traction engine — ► NOUN ▪ a steam or diesel powered road vehicle used (especially formerly) for pulling very heavy loads …   English terms dictionary

  • Traction engine — A traction engine is a self propelled steam engine used to move heavy loads on roads, plough ground or to provide power at a chosen location. The name derives from the Latin tractus , meaning drawn , since the prime function of any traction… …   Wikipedia

  • traction engine — noun steam powered locomotive for drawing heavy loads along surfaces other than tracks • Hypernyms: ↑locomotive, ↑engine, ↑locomotive engine, ↑railway locomotive * * * ˈtraction engine [traction engine traction engines] …   Useful english dictionary

  • traction engine — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms traction engine : singular traction engine plural traction engines a vehicle used in the past for pulling heavy loads …   English dictionary

  • traction engine — towing engine, engine used to pull objects …   English contemporary dictionary

  • traction engine — noun A wheeled steam engine used to move heavy loads, plough ground or to provide power at a chosen location. Syn: road locomotive …   Wiktionary

  • traction engine — A steam or diesel engine used for hauling heavy vehicles on roads or over difficult terrain …   Dictionary of automotive terms

  • traction engine — A means of motive power seldom seen in the present day, being a steam engine used to pull plows or heavy loads on the highway. See tractor …   Ballentine's law dictionary

  • traction engine — a locomotive operating on surfaces other than tracks and pulling heavy loads, as fallen logs. [1855 60] * * * …   Universalium

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