ˈækses 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. øaccess 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 cessgo)]