En*coun"ter (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Encountered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Encountering.] [OF. encontrer; pref. en- (L. in) + contre against, L. contra. See Counter, adv.]
To come against face to face; to meet; to confront, either by chance, 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 in traveling; two armies encounter each other; to encounter obstacles or difficulties, to encounter strong evidence of a truth.
Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoics, encountered him.
Acts xvii. 18.
I am most fortunate thus accidentally to encounter you.
Shak.
© Webster 1913.
En*coun"ter, v. i.
To meet face to face; to have a meeting; to meet, esp. as enemies; to engage in combat; to fight; as, three armies encountered at Waterloo.
I will encounter with Andronicus.
Shak.
Perception and judgment, employed in the investigation of all truth, have in the first place to encounter with particulars.
Tatham.
© Webster 1913.
En*coun"ter, n. [OF. encontre, fr. encontrer. See Encounter, v. t.]
1.
A meeting face to face; a running against; a sudden or incidental meeting; 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 mid-air.
Milton
.
Syn. -- Contest; conflict; fight; combat; assault; rencounter; attack; engagement; onset. See Contest.
© Webster 1913.