encounter

[ en-koun-ter ]
/ ɛnˈkaʊn tər /

verb (used with object)

to come upon or meet with, especially unexpectedly: to encounter a new situation.
to meet with or contend against (difficulties, opposition, etc.): We encounter so many problems in our work.
to meet (a person, military force, etc.) in conflict: We will encounter the enemy at dawn.

verb (used without object)

to meet, especially unexpectedly or in conflict: We were angry when we encountered, but we parted with smiles.

noun

Origin of encounter

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

OTHER WORDS FROM encounter

en·coun·ter·er, noun pre·en·coun·ter, noun, verb (used with object) re·en·coun·ter, verb, noun un·en·coun·tered, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for encounter

British Dictionary definitions for encounter

encounter
/ (ɪnˈkaʊntə) /

verb

to come upon or meet casually or unexpectedly
to come into conflict with (an enemy, army, etc) in battle or contest
(tr) to be faced with; contend with he encounters many obstacles in his work

noun

a meeting with a person or thing, esp when casual or unexpected
a hostile meeting; contest or conflict

Derived forms of encounter

encounterer, noun

Word Origin for encounter

C13: from Old French encontrer, from Vulgar Latin incontrāre (unattested), from Latin in- ² + contrā against, opposite