Etymology

Noun

1. A way or means of approaching or entering; an entrance; a passage.
   • All access was thronged. - Milton
2. The act of approaching or entering; an advance.
3. The right or ability of approaching or entering; admittance; admission; accessibility.
   • I did repel his fetters, and denied His access to me. - Shakespeare, Hamlet, II-i
4. Admission to sexual intercourse.
   • During coverture, access of the husband shall be presumed, unless the contrary be shown. - Blackstone
5. An increase by addition; accession; as, an access of territory.
   • I, from the influence of thy looks, receive access in every virtue. - Milton
6. An onset, attack, or fit of disease; an ague fit.
   • The first access looked like an apoplexy. - Burnet
7. An outburst of an emotion; a paroxysm; a fit of passion; as, an access of fury.
   • 1946: Arnold J. Toynbee, A Study of History (Abridgement of Volumes I-VI by D.C. Somervell)

     It appears that, about the middle of the fourth century of the Christian Era, the Germans in the Roman service started the new practice of retaining their native names; and this change of etiquette, which seems to have been abrupt, points to a sudden access of self-confidence and self-assurance in the souls of the barbarian personnel which had previously been content to 'go Roman' without reservations.

8. The right of a non-custodial parent to visit their child.
9. The process of locating data in memory.
10. Connection to or communication with a computer program or to the Internet.

Related terms

• accessary
• accessible
• accessibility
• accessibly
• accession
• accessory

Verb

1. To gain or obtain access to.
2. To have access to (data).