ENCOUNT'ER, noun [Latin contra, against, or rather rencontre.]

1. A meeting, particularly a sudden or accidental meeting of two or more persons.

To shun th' encounter of the vulgar crowd.

2. A meeting in contest; a single combat, on a sudden meeting of parties; sometimes less properly, a duel.

3. A fight; a conflict; a skirmish; a battle; but more generally, a fight between a small number of men, or an accidental meeting and fighting of detachments, rather than a set battle or general engagement.

4. Eager and warm conversation, either in love or anger.

5. A sudden or unexpected address or accosting.

6. Occasion; casual incident. [Unusual.]

ENCOUNT'ER, verb transitive

1. To meet face to face; particularly, to meet suddenly or unexpectedly.

[This sense is now uncommon, but still in use.]

2. To meet in opposition, or in a hostile manner; to rush against in conflict; to engage with in battle; as, two armies encounter each other.

3. To meet and strive to remove or surmount; as, to encounter obstacles, impediments or difficulties.

4. To meet and oppose; to resist; to attack and attempt to confute; as, to encounter the arguments of opponents. Acts 17:18.

5. To meet as an obstacle. Which ever way the infidel turns, he encounters clear evidence of the divine origin of the scriptures.

6. To oppose; to oppugn.

7. To meet in mutual kindness. [Little used.]

ENCOUNT'ER, verb intransitive To meet face to face; to meet unexpectedly. [Little used.]

1. To rush together in combat; to fight; to conflict. Three armies encountered at Waterloo.

When applied to one party, it is sometimes followed by with; as, the christian army encountered with the Saracens.

2. To meet in opposition or debate.