Encounter | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

En-coun'ter, n.

noun

n. [O. Fr. encontre, from encontrer; Pr. & Sp. encontra, It. & L. Lat. incontra, against, from Lat. in and contra, against; Pr. encontre, Pg. encontro, Sp. encuentro, It. incontro.] 1. A meeting face to face; a running against; opposition; an interview. To shun the encounter of the vulgar crowd. Pope. 2. A meeting, with hostile purpose; hence, a combat; a battle; as, a bloody encounter. As one for . . . fierce encounters fit. Spenser. To join their dark encounter in the air. Milton. Syn.—Contest; conflict; fight; skirmish; combat; assault; rencontre; attack; onset. See CONTEST.

En-count'er, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. [imp. & p. p. ENCOUNTERED; p. pr. & vb. n. ENCOUNTERING.] [O. Fr. rencontrer, Pr., Sp., & Pg. encontrar, It. incontrare. See supra.] To come against face to face; to confront, either suddenly or deliberately; especially, to meet in opposition or with hostile intent; to engage in conflict with; to oppose; to struggle with; as, to encounter a friend; two armies encounter each other; to encounter obstacles or difficulties; to encounter strong evidence of a truth. I am most fortunate thus to encounter you. Shak.

En-count'er, v. i.

verbintransitive

v. i. To meet face to face; to have a meeting; especially, to meet as enemies; to engage in combat; to fight; as, three armies encountered at Waterloo. “Fierce encountering angels.” Milton.

Perception and judgment, employed in the investigation of all truth, have in the first place to encounter with particulars. Tatham.

Ren-coun'ter, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. [imp. & p. p. RENCOUNTERED; p. pr. & vb. n. RENCOUNTERING.] [Fr. rencontrer, Sp. reencontrar, It. rincontrare. See supra.]

To meet unexpectedly without enmity or hostility; to encounter. [Rare.]
To attack hand to hand. [Obs.] Spenser.