traction

Word family

trac·tion /ˈtrækʃən/ noun [uncountableU]

1 MIthe process of treating a broken bone with special medical equipment that pulls it 〔治疗骨折的〕牵引术

in traction

He was in traction (=receiving this kind of treatment) for weeks after the accident.

事故后他接受了几个星期的牵引治疗。

2 HPthe force that prevents something such as a wheel sliding on a surface 〔防止车轮在路面滑动的〕附着摩擦力

The tires were bald (=completely worn) and lost traction on the wet road.

轮胎已磨平，在这种湿的路面上没有了摩擦力。

3. TTthe type of power needed to make a vehicle move, or to pull a heavy load 〔使汽车或重物等移动的〕牵引力

n4 if a new idea or thing gains traction, it becomes accepted by or popular with more and more people

The idea of changing the structure of the school year is gaining traction.

Examples from the Corpus

traction• The rigidity and traction of the EBs was far superior to spongy plimsolls.• Bigfoot gets better traction off the line and vaults the moguls, arriving first at the turn.• Rubber soles give the shoes better traction.• Centre-stage of the final weekend's events were two grand locomotive cavalcades each day which combined both steam and diesel traction.• The line ran several combinations of preserved diesel traction over its tracks during the two-day event.• It is important to keep the wheels rolling; rolling wheels have traction.• The practical result is improved traction and vehicle handling on slippery roads.• Locked-up wheels have no traction and slide.• Your front wheels are sliding; you must regain traction, grip.

in traction• He was in traction for weeks after the accident.

Origin traction

(1600-1700) Medieval Latin tractio, from Latin trahere “to pull”

LDOCE Online

Chinese

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Corpus