Main Entry:

¹en·coun·ter

Pronunciation:

\in-ˈkau̇n-tər, en-\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

en·coun·tered; en·coun·ter·ing \-ˈkau̇n-t(ə-)riŋ\

Etymology:

Middle English encountren, from Anglo-French encuntrer, from Medieval Latin incontrare, from Late Latin incontra toward, from Latin in- + contra against — more at counter

Date:

14th century

transitive verb1 a: to meet as an adversary or enemy b: to engage in conflict with2: to come upon face-to-face3: to come upon or experience especially unexpectedly <encounter difficulties>intransitive verb: to meet especially by chance