(adv.) 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.
(v. 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 Waterloo.
(v. t.) A meeting face to face; a running against; a sudden
or incidental meeting; an interview.
(v. t.) A meeting, with hostile purpose; hence, a combat; a
battle; as, a bloody encounter.
