access

[ak-ses] /ˈæk sɛs/
noun
1.
the ability, right, or permission to approach, enter, speak with, or use; admittance:
They have access to the files.
2.
the state or quality of being approachable:
The house was difficult of access.
3.
a way or means of approach:
The only access to the house was a rough dirt road.
4.
Theology. approach to God through Jesus Christ.
5.
an attack or onset, as of a disease.
6.
a sudden and strong emotional outburst.
7.
accession.
8.
public-access television.
verb (used with object)
9.
to make contact with or gain access to; be able to reach, approach, enter, etc.:
Bank customers can access their checking accounts instantly through the new electronic system.
10.
Computers. to locate (data) for transfer from one part of a computer system to another, generally between an external storage device and main storage.
adjective
11.
Television. (of programming, time, etc.) available to the public:
Six channels now offer access services.
Origin
1275-1325; Middle English accesse (< Old French acces) < Latin accessus an approach, equivalent to acced-, variant stem of accēdere to accede + -tus suffix of v. action
Related forms
preaccess, noun
Can be confused
access, assess, excess.
Examples from the web for access
  • For years, newspaper companies have been offering Web access free .
  • Individual students now pay for subscriptions to any of several major digital-book vendors for unlimited access.
  • Prepaid Internet access is moving into the mainstream.
  • To access the music, you'll have to install software from the site.
  • You download a music player that gives you access to the music.
  • We found them housing and access to employment.
  • In understanding science, there is the necessity that the nonprofessional have access to the original literature.
  • If you're unable to access the beta forum, please log out then back in.
  • We offer a competitive benefit package including access to individual health plans and a retirement savings program.
  • Most of its revenues come from its internet-access business, which is in decline.
British Dictionary definitions for access

access

/ˈæksɛs/
noun
1.
the act of approaching or entering
2.
the condition of allowing entry, esp (of a building or room) allowing entry by wheelchairs, prams, etc
3.
the right or privilege to approach, reach, enter, or make use of something
4.
a way or means of approach or entry
5.
the opportunity or right to see or approach someone: she fights for divorce and free access to her children
6.
(modifier) designating programmes made by the general public as distinguished from those made by professional broadcasters: access television
7.
a sudden outburst or attack, as of rage or disease
verb
8.
to gain access to; make accessible or available
9.
(transitive) (computing)
  1. to obtain or retrieve (information) from a storage device
  2. to place (information) in a storage device See also direct access, sequential access
Word Origin
C14: from Old French or from Latin accessus an approach, from accēdere to accede
Word Origin and History for access
n.

early 14c., "an attack of fever," from Old French acces "onslaught, attack; onset (of an illness)" (14c.), from Latin accessus "a coming to, an approach," noun use of past participle of accedere "approach" (see accede). The later senses are directly from Latin. Meaning "an entrance" is from c.1600. Meaning "habit or power of getting into the presence of (someone or something)" is from late 14c.

v.

1962, originally in computing, from access (n.). Related: Accessed; accessing.

access in Medicine

access ac·cess (āk'sěs)
n.

  1. A means of approaching, entering, exiting, or making use of; passage.

  2. The space required to view a tooth and manipulate dental instruments to remove decay and prepare the tooth for restoration.

  3. The opening in the crown of a tooth necessary to allow adequate admittance to the pulp space to clean, shape, and seal the root canal.

access in Technology


1. An English-like query language used in the Pick operating system.
2. Microsoft Access.
(1994-11-08)

Related Abbreviations for access

ACCESS

Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board