\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.
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.
3. Attraction; a drawing toward. [R.]
4. The adhesive friction of a wheel on a rail, a rope on a
   pulley, or the like. --Knight.
{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.