clutch vs traction

clutch

verb
  • To grip or grasp tightly. 

  • To unexpectedly or luckily succeed in a difficult activity. 

  • To hatch. 

  • To seize, as though with claws. 

  • To win in a 1vX (one versus X) situation. 

noun
  • The claw of a predatory animal or bird. 

  • An important or critical situation. 

  • A brood of chickens or a sitting of eggs. 

  • A device to interrupt power transmission, commonly used to separate the engine and gearbox in a car. 

  • A fastener that attaches to the back of a tack pin to secure an accessory to clothing. (See Clutch (pin fastener).) 

  • A small handbag or purse with no straps or handle. 

  • A group or bunch (of people or things). 

  • Any device for gripping an object, as at the end of a chain or tackle. 

  • A grip, especially one seen as rapacious or evil. 

  • The pedal in a car that disengages power and torque transmission from the engine (through the drivetrain) to the drive wheels. 

  • A difficult maneuver 

adj
  • Performing or tending to perform well in difficult, high-pressure situations. 

traction

verb
  • To apply a sustained pull to (a limb, etc.). 

noun
  • The condition of being so pulled. 

  • The extent of adoption of a new product or service, typically measured in number of customers or level of revenue achieved. 

  • Popular support. 

  • A mechanically applied sustained pull, especially to a limb. 

  • Collectively, the locomotives of a railroad, especially electric locomotives. 

  • The act of pulling something along a surface using motive power. 

  • The pulling power of an engine or animal. 

  • Grip. 

  • Scholarly interest and research. 

  • The adhesive friction of a wheel etc on a surface. 

How often have the words clutch and traction occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )