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KJV Dictionary Definition: encounter

encounter

ENCOUNT'ER, n. L. contra, against,or rather rencontre.

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, v.i. To meet face to face;to meet unexpectedly. Little used.

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.

encountered

ENCOUNT'ERED, pp. Met face to face; met in opposition or hostility; opposed.

encountering

ENCOUNT'ERING, ppr. Meeting; meeting in opposition, or in battle; opposing; resisting.