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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoics, encountered him. Acts xvii. 18. [ 1913 Webster ]

I am most fortunate thus accidentally to encounter you. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

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 ]