%encounter%

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

I will encounter with Andronicus. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Perception and judgment, employed in the investigation of all truth, have in the first place to encounter with particulars. Tatham. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

To shun the encounter of the vulgar crowd. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A meeting, with hostile purpose; hence, a combat; a battle; as, a bloody encounter. [ 1913 Webster ]

As one for . . . fierce encounters fit. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

To join their dark encounter in mid-air. Milton.

Syn. -- Contest; conflict; fight; combat; assault; rencounter; attack; engagement; onset. See Contest. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who encounters; an opponent; an antagonist. Atterbury. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. rencontre, from renconter to meet. ] 1. A meeting of two persons or bodies; a collision; especially, a meeting in opposition or contest; a combat, action, or engagement. [ 1913 Webster ]

The justling chiefs in rude rencounter join. Granville. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A causal combat or action; a sudden contest or fight without premeditation, as between individuals or small parties. [ 1913 Webster ]

The confederates should . . . outnumber the enemy in all rencounters and engagements. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Combat; fight; conflict; collision; clash. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Rencountered p. pr. & vb/ n. Rencountering. ] [ F. rencontrer; pref. re- + OF. encontrer to encounter. See Encounter. ] 1. To meet unexpectedly; to encounter. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To attack hand to hand. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]