[trac.tion] n [ML traction-, tractio, fr. L trahere] (1615) 1: the act of drawing: the state of being drawn; also: the force exerted in drawing
2: the drawing of a vehicle by motive power; also: the motive power employed 3 a: the adhesive friction of a body on a surface on which it moves "the ~ of a wheel on a rail" b: a pulling force exerted on a skeletal structure (as in a fracture) by means of a special device "a ~ splint"; also: a state of tension created by such a pulling force "a leg in ~" -- trac.tion.al adj