ess, real-time> A method of electronic payment which allows money to be transferred from the account of the shopper to the merchant in close-to real-time. Generally the shopper will give the merchant a credit or debit card, which will be swiped to obtain the account information. The shopper will then be required to either sign a receipt or enter a ef="module.php?name=Lexikon&file=search&eid=1&query=PIN">PIN via a keypad to authorise the transaction. (2003-06-22)
