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Webster 1913 Edition
Encounter
En-coun′ter
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Encountered
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Encountering
.] 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.Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoics,
encountered
him. Acts xvii. 18.
I am most fortunate thus accidentally to
encounter
you. Shakespeare
En-coun′ter
,Verb.
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 WaterlooI will
encounter
with Andronicus. Shakespeare
Perception and judgment, employed in the investigation of all truth, have in the first place to
encounter
with particulars. Tatham.
1.
A meeting face to face; a running against; a sudden or incidental meeting; an interview.
To shun the
encounter
of the vulgar crowd. Pope.
2.
A meeting, with hostile purpose; hence, a combat; a battle;
as, a bloody
. encounter
As one for . . . fierce
. encounters
fitSpenser.
Syn. – Contest; conflict; fight; combat; assault; rencounter; attack; engagement; onset. See
Contest
. Webster 1828 Edition
Encounter
ENCOUNT'ER
,Noun.
1.
A meeting, particularly a sudden or accidental meeting of two or more persons.To shun th' encounter of the vulgar crowd.
2.
A meeting in contest; a single combat, on a sudden meeting of parties; sometimes less properly, a duel.3.
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.4.
Eager and warm conversation, either in love or anger.5.
A sudden or unexpected address or accosting.6.
Occasion; casual incident. [Unusual.]ENCOUNT'ER
, v.t.1.
To meet face to face; particularly, to meet suddenly or unexpectedly.[This sense is now uncommon, but still in use.]
2.
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.3.
To meet and strive to remove or surmount; as, to encounter obstacles, impediments or difficulties.4.
To meet and oppose; to resist; to attack and attempt to confute; as, to encounter the arguments of opponents. Acts.17.18.5.
To meet as an obstacle. Which ever way the infidel turns, he encounters clear evidence of the divine origin of the scriptures.6.
To oppose; to oppugn.7.
To meet in mutual kindness. [Little used.]ENCOUNT'ER
,Verb.
I.
1.
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.
2.
To meet in opposition or debate.