traction
UK: ˈtrækʃən | US: ˈtrækʃən
n. the action of drawing or pulling something over a surface
n. the grip of a tire, shoe, etc., on the ground or another surface
n. the extent to which an idea, product, etc., gains popularity or acceptance
The word "traction" originates from the Latin tractio, derived from tractus (past participle of trahere, meaning "to pull or draw"). The morpheme "tract" appears in many English words related to pulling or drawing (e.g., "tractor," "attract"). The suffix "-ion" converts the verb into a noun, denoting the action or result of pulling. Over time, "traction" expanded metaphorically to describe grip (physical pulling force) and popularity (drawing attention or support).
The car's tires lost traction on the icy road.
Physical therapy improved traction in her injured shoulder.
The new marketing campaign gained traction among young consumers.
Engineers tested the material’s traction under wet conditions.
His innovative idea finally got traction after months of pitching.