encounter

[en-koun-ter] /ɛnˈkaʊn tər/
verb (used with object)
1.
to come upon or meet with, especially unexpectedly:
to encounter a new situation.
2.
to meet with or contend against (difficulties, opposition, etc.):
We encounter so many problems in our work.
3.
to meet (a person, military force, etc.) in conflict:
We will encounter the enemy at dawn.
verb (used without object)
4.
to meet, especially unexpectedly or in conflict:
We were angry when we encountered, but we parted with smiles.
noun
5.
a meeting with a person or thing, especially a casual, unexpected, or brief meeting:
Our running into each other was merely a chance encounter.
6.
a meeting of persons or groups that are in conflict or opposition; combat; battle:
Another such encounter and we may lose the war.
7.
Psychology. a meeting of two or more people, as the members of an encounter group or a number of married couples (marriage encounter) conducted to promote direct emotional confrontations among the participants, especially as a form of therapy (encounter therapy)
Origin
1250-1300; Middle English encountren < Anglo-French enco(u)ntrer; Old French < Vulgar Latin *incontrāre, equivalent to in- in-1 + -contrāre, derivative of contrā against; see counter3
Related forms
encounterer, noun
preencounter, noun, verb (used with object)
reencounter, verb, noun
unencountered, adjective
Examples from the web for encounter
  • We may never know the outcome of such a prehistoric encounter-or even if a meeting occurred.
  • But you are more likely than you were in the past to discover something useful through a chance encounter.
  • Their meeting wasn't so much a typical agent-client encounter but the start of an intense creative collaboration.
  • Do everything you can to avoid an encounter with any bear.
  • Here are some common plants your dog might encounter.
  • In solitude one has no encounter with others, even in consciousness or negatively by their absence.
  • It's hard to determine whether there are any lasting embers from that encounter.
  • The greater good fortune may be in the timing of this cordial encounter.
  • First they'll encounter a medley of lakes, papyrus swamps, and forest clearings.
  • He has made a full recovery after his encounter with the dog.
British Dictionary definitions for encounter

encounter

/ɪnˈkaʊntə/
verb
1.
to come upon or meet casually or unexpectedly
2.
to come into conflict with (an enemy, army, etc) in battle or contest
3.
(transitive) to be faced with; contend with: he encounters many obstacles in his work
noun
4.
a meeting with a person or thing, esp when casual or unexpected
5.
a hostile meeting; contest or conflict
Derived Forms
encounterer, noun
Word Origin
C13: from Old French encontrer, from Vulgar Latin incontrāre (unattested), from Latin in-² + contrā against, opposite
Word Origin and History for encounter
n.

c.1300, "meeting of adversaries, confrontation," from Old French encontre "meeting; fight; opportunity," noun use of preposition/adverb encontre "against, counter to" from Late Latin incontra "in front of," from Latin in- "in" (see in- (2)) + contra "against" (see contra). Modern use of the word in psychology is from 1967, from the work of U.S. psychologist Carl Rogers (1902-1987). Encounter group attested from 1967.

v.

c.1300, "to meet as an adversary," from Old French encontrer "confront," from encontre (see encounter (n.). Weakened sense of "casually meet" first recorded in English early 16c. Related: Encountered; encountering.