n. & v.
--n.
1. a way of approaching or reaching or entering (a building with rear access).
2 a (often foll. by to) the right or opportunity to reach or use or visit; admittance (has access to secret files; was granted access to the prisoner). b the condition of being readily approached; accessibility.
3 (often foll. by of) an attack or outburst (an access of anger).
4 (attrib.) Brit. (of broadcasting) allowed to minority or special-interest groups to undertake (access television).
--v.tr.
1. Computing gain access to (data, a file, etc.).
2 accession.
Phrases and idioms:
access road a road giving access only to the properties along it. access time Computing the time taken to retrieve data from storage.
Etymology: ME f. OF acces or L accessus f. accedere (as AC-, cedere cess- go)