I. ə̇nˈkau̇ntə(r), enˈ- verb
( encountered ; encountered ; encountering -ntəriŋ also -n.triŋ ; encounters )
Etymology: Middle English encountren, from Old French encontrer, from Medieval Latin incontrare, from Late Latin incontra toward, against, from Latin in + contra against — more at counter (adverb)
transitive verb
1.
a. : to meet in the role of an adversary or enemy : confront
b. : to engage in conflict with
enemy raiding parties were encountered and driven back
2. : to come upon face to face : meet
encounter an old acquaintance on the street
3. : to come upon accidentally or unexpectedly
encounter difficulties
intransitive verb
1. obsolete : to meet in a hostile manner
2. : to come together by chance
Synonyms: see meet
II. “ sometimes ˈenˌk- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English encountre, from Old French encontre, from encontrer, v.
1.
a. : a meeting between hostile factions or persons
b. : a sudden often violent clash : battle
a bloody encounter
2.
a. : a chance meeting : an unexpected often direct coming upon
b. : a direct often momentary meeting : momentary or temporary contact
3. : the coming of one molecule within the sphere of action of another with consequent change of direction or velocity of motion — see collision 2d
III. noun
: a coming into the vicinity of a celestial body