[f. L. tract-, ppl. stem of trahĕre to draw, drag + -IVE.] Having the property of drawing or pulling; used for traction.
1615. Crooke, Body of Man, 179. The motion of the expulsiue faculty is one, and that of the tractiue another.
1691. T. H[ale], Acc. New Invent., 118. Tractive and Pulsive forces upon swimming Bodies.
1839. Civil Eng. & Arch. Jrnl., II. 122/2. The tractive power of the driving wheels is very much reduced.
1859. Smiles, Stephenson, 199. The kind of tractive power to be employed in working the railway.
1894. Athenæum, 25 Aug., 260/1. This has necessitated much heavier engines to increase the tractive force.
† b. fig. Attractive, enticing. Obs. rare–1.
1658. T. Meriton, Love & War, IV. ii. If your own Queen by tractive Operation work effect.
