attraction

(at-rak’shun) [L. aftrac’tio]. The force, act, or proce that draws one body toward another. a. of affinity, chemic a., the tendency of atoms of one element to unite with those of another. capillary a., the force which attracts the particles of a fluid into and along the caliber of a capillary tube. electric a., the tendency of bodies charged with opposite electricities to move toward each other. magnetic a., the influence of a magnet upon iron and certain othe elements. a. particle, a small particle seen in the center of an attraction sphere. a. sphere, the central ma of the aster in karyokinesis, from which the rays proceed; also the clear area surrounding the centrosome.