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 verb 1 a : to meet as an adversary or enemy b : to engage in conflict with
2 : to come upon face-to-face
3 : to come upon or experience especially unexpectedly <encounter difficulties>intransitive verb : to meet especially by chance