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encounter

en·coun·ter [ in kówntər, en kówntər ]


transitive verb  (past and past participle en·coun·tered, present participle en·coun·ter·ing, 3rd person present singular en·coun·ters)
Definition:
 
1. come up against something: to be faced with something difficult to deal with
We don't expect to encounter any major problems.

2. meet somebody unexpectedly: to meet somebody or something, usually unexpectedly and briefly
I encountered the girl for the first time in 1993.

3. meet somebody in conflict: to confront somebody with hostility or aggression



noun  (plural en·coun·ters)
Definition:
 
1. unexpected meeting: a meeting with somebody or something, usually unexpected and brief

2. confrontation: a hostile confrontation or difficult struggle

[13th century. < Old French encontrer "confront" < late Latin incontra "in front of" < Latin in- "in" + contra "against"]
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