Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Adj.

Serving to draw; pulling; attracting;

as,

tractive

power

tractive ‎(not comparable)

Pertaining to traction.
This locomotive develops 130,000 pounds of tractive effort.
- 1912, Flight
  The outer third of the wing of a vulture consists of the wing tips. The inner two-thirds of the wing are cambered (when the wing is extended), and are concerned with lifting effort in unsoarable air and with lifting and tractive effort in soarable air.