2 → see also accept
ac|cess ◆◇◇ /æ kses/ (accesses , accessing , accessed )
1 N‑UNCOUNT If you have access to a building or other place, you are able or allowed to go into it. □ [+ to ] The facilities have been adapted to give access to wheelchair users. □ [+ to ] Scientists have only recently been able to gain access to the area. □ [+ to ] The Mortimer Hotel offers easy access to central London.
2 N‑UNCOUNT If you have access to something such as information or equipment, you have the opportunity or right to see it or use it. □ [+ to ] …a Code of Practice that would give patients right of access to their medical records.
3 N‑UNCOUNT If you have access to a person, you have the opportunity or right to see them or meet them. □ [+ to ] He was not allowed access to a lawyer.
4 VERB If you access something, especially information held on a computer, you succeed in finding or obtaining it. □ [V n] You've illegally accessed and misused confidential security files. SYNONYMS access NOUN 1
admission: There have been increases in hospital admissions of children.
entry: Entry to the museum is free.
admittance: We had not been able to gain admittance to the flat. VERB 4
acquire: I recently acquired some wood from a holly tree.
get: I asked him to get me some information.
gather: …a private detective using a hidden microphone to gather information.
obtain: Evans was trying to obtain a false passport and other documents. COLLOCATIONS access NOUN
1
verb + access : allow, grant; deny, restrict; gain
2
adjective + access : unlimited, unfettered, unrestricted VERB 4
access + noun : the internet, the Web
a c|cess course (access courses ) N‑COUNT An access course is an educational course which prepares adults with few or no qualifications for study at a university or other place of higher education. [BRIT ]
ac|ces|sible /ækse s I b ə l/
1 ADJ If a place or building is accessible to people, it is easy for them to reach it or get into it. If an object is accessible , it is easy to reach. □ [+ to ] The Centre is easily accessible to the general public. □ The premises are wheelchair accessible. ● ac|ces|sibil|ity /ækse s I b I l I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the easy accessibility of the area.
2 ADJ If something is accessible to people, they can easily use it or obtain it. □ [+ to ] The legal aid system should be accessible to more people. ● ac|ces|sibil|ity N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the quality and accessibility of health care.
3 ADJ If you describe a book, painting, or other work of art as accessible , you think it is good because it is simple enough for people to understand and appreciate easily. [APPROVAL ] □ [+ to ] …literary books that are accessible to a general audience. ● ac|ces|sibil|ity N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ to ] Seminar topics are chosen for their accessibility to a general audience.
ac|ces|sion /ækse ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT [with poss] Accession is the act of taking up a position as the ruler of a country. [FORMAL ] □ [+ to ] …the 50th anniversary of the Queen's accession to the throne.
ac|ces|so|rize /ækse səra I z/ (accessorizes , accessorizing , accessorized ) in BRIT, also use accessorise VERB To accessorize something such as a set of furniture or clothing means to add other things to it in order to make it look more attractive. □ [V n] Use a belt to accessorise a plain dress. [Also V n + with ]
ac|ces|so|ry /ækse səri/ (accessories )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Accessories are items of equipment that are not usually essential, but which can be used with or added to something else in order to make it more efficient, useful, or decorative. □ …an exclusive range of hand-made bedroom and bathroom accessories.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Accessories are articles such as belts and scarves which you wear or carry but which are not part of your main clothing.
3 N‑COUNT If someone is guilty of being an accessory to a crime, they helped the person who committed it, or knew it was being committed but did not tell the police. [LEGAL ] □ [+ to ] She was charged with being an accessory to the embezzlement of funds.
a c|cess road (access roads ) N‑COUNT An access road is a road which enables traffic to reach a particular place or area. □ [+ to ] …the access road to the airport.
a c|cess time (access times ) N‑COUNT Access time is the time that is needed to get information that is stored in a computer. [COMPUTING ] □ This system helps speed up access times.
ac|ci|dent ◆◇◇ /æ ks I dənt/ (accidents )
1 N‑COUNT An accident happens when a vehicle hits a person, an object, or another vehicle, causing injury or damage. □ She was involved in a serious car accident last week. □ Six passengers were killed in the accident.
2 N‑COUNT If someone has an accident , something unpleasant happens to them that was not intended, sometimes causing injury or death. □ 5,000 people die every year because of accidents in the home. □ The police say the killing of the young man was an accident.