1. noun /ˈæk.sɛs/
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.
b) The act of approaching or entering; an advance.
2. verb /ˈæk.sɛs/
a) To gain or obtain access to.
b) To have access to (data).
Wikipedia foundation.