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. access road a road giving access only to the properties along it. access time Computing the time taken to retrieve data from storage.
[ ME f. OF acces or L accessus f. accedere (as AC-, cedere cess- go) ]