Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

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.

3 N‑VAR [usu by N ] If something happens by accident , it happens completely by chance. □  She discovered the problem by accident. COLLOCATIONS accident NOUN

1

noun + accident : car, motorcycle, road, traffic; riding, skiing

adjective + accident : fatal, serious; minor

verb + accident : investigate, report, witness; survive

2

noun + accident : workplace

adjective + accident : freak, horrific, tragic, unfortunate; industrial, nuclear; minor

verb + accident : avoid, prevent; cause

ac|ci|den|tal /æ ks I de nt ^ə l/ ADJ An accidental event happens by chance or as the result of an accident, and is not deliberately intended. □  The jury returned a verdict of accidental death. □  His hand brushed against hers; it could have been either accidental or deliberate. ●  ac|ci|den|tal|ly /æ ks I de ntli/ ADV [ADV with v] □  A policeman accidentally killed his two best friends with a single bullet. □  A special locking system means the door cannot be opened accidentally.

a c|ci|dent and eme r|gen|cy N‑COUNT The accident and emergency is the room or department in a hospital where people who have severe injuries or sudden illness are taken for emergency treatment. The abbreviation A & E is also used. [BRIT ] in AM, use emergency room

a c|ci|dent prone also accident-prone ADJ If you describe someone or something as accident prone , you mean that a lot of accidents or other unpleasant things happen to them.

ac|claim /əkle I m/ (acclaims , acclaiming , acclaimed )

1 VERB [usu passive] If someone or something is acclaimed , they are praised enthusiastically. [FORMAL ] □ [be V -ed for n/v-ing] She has been acclaimed for her leading roles in both theatre and film. □ [be V -ed + as ] He was acclaimed as England's greatest modern painter. □ [be V -ed n] The group's debut album was immediately acclaimed a hip hop classic. ●  ac|claimed ADJ □  She has published six highly acclaimed novels.

2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft adj N ] Acclaim is public praise for someone or something. [FORMAL ] □  She has won critical acclaim for her excellent performance.

ac|cla|ma|tion /æ kləme I ʃ ^ə n/

1 N‑UNCOUNT Acclamation is a noisy or enthusiastic expression of approval for someone or something. [FORMAL ] □  The news was greeted with considerable popular acclamation.

2 N‑UNCOUNT If someone is chosen or elected by acclamation , they are elected without a written vote. [FORMAL ] □  At first it looked like I was going to win by acclamation.