Found 2 items, similar to traction engine.
English → English (WordNet) Definition: traction engine traction engine n : steam-powered locomotive for drawing heavy loads along surfaces other than tracks
English → English (gcide) Definition: 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]