what is a terminal emulation software (in simple words)

Question

rsmith6559 · Answer

Terminal emulation software emulates a terminal from another machine on your machine.  Different look and feel, different backend (behind the scenes) behaviour, etc.

javk · Answer

does that mean it access's another computer?

rsmith6559 · Answer

It is (usually, unless you have a thin client) executing on your machine.  Programs like ssh and telnet (insecure, discouraged) are run in your terminal to connect to another machine's terminal.  Then the other machine may run it's terminal emulation to emulate your machine and make you feel more comfortable.