A meeting, particularly a sudden or accidental meeting of two or more persons. To shun th’ encounter of the vulgar crowd.

A meeting in contest; a single combat, on a sudden meeting of parties; sometimes less properly, a duel.

A fight; a conflict; a skirmish; a battle; but more generally, a fight between a small number of men, or an accidental meeting and fighting of detachments, rather than a set battle or general engagement.

Eager and warm conversation, either in love or anger.

A sudden or unexpected address or accosting.

Occasion; casual incident.

To meet face to face; particularly, to meet suddenly or unexpectedly.

To meet in opposition, or in a hostile manner; to rush against in conflict; to engage with in battle; as, two armies encounter each other.

To meet and strive to remove or surmount; as, to encounter obstacles, impediments or difficulties.

To meet and oppose; to resist; to attack and attempt to confute; as, to encounter the arguments of opponents. Acis 17:78.

To meet as an obstacle. Which ever way the infidel turns, he encounters clear evidence of the divine origin of the scriptures.

To oppose; to oppugn.

To meet in mutual kindness.

To meet face to face; to meet unexpectedly.

To rush together in combat; to fight; to conflict. Three armies encountered at Waterloo. When applied to one party, it is sometimes followed by with; as, the christian army encountered with the Saracens.

To meet in opposition or debate.