encounter
en-coun-ter · noun
Definitions
noun
- 1.
An unexpected or casual meeting with someone or something.
- 2.
To unexpectedly meet or experience something.
- 3.
A confrontation or conflict.
- 4.
To come up against in a conflict or competition.
Forms
plural: encounters
Phrases & expressions
- •close encounter — a near meeting, especially with something unusual
- •chance encounter — an unplanned meeting
- •encounter difficulties — to face problems or obstacles
Related words
Etymology
From Old French encontrer ("to meet, confront"), from Vulgar Latin incontrare, from Latin in ("in") + contra ("against"). First used in English in the 13th century.