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n. 1. A meeting, especially one that is unplanned, unexpected, or brief: a chance encounter in the park. 2. A hostile or adversarial confrontation: a tense naval encounter. v. en·coun·tered, en·coun·ter·ing, en·coun·ters v.tr. 1. To meet, especially unexpectedly; come upon: encountered an old friend on the street. 2. To confront in battle or competition: encountered last year's champion. 3. To experience or undergo: We have encountered numerous obstacles. v.intr. To meet, especially unexpectedly. [Middle English encountre, from Old French, from encontrer, to meet, from Late Latin incontrāre : Latin in-, in; see EN-1 + Latin contrā, against; see kom in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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