En‐coun″ter, n. [OF. encontre, fr. encontrer. See Encounter, v. t.] 1. A meeting face to face; a running against; a sudden or incidental meeting; an interview.
To shun the encounter of the vulgar crowd. Pope.
2. A meeting, with hostile purpose; hence, a combat; a battle; as, a bloody encounter.
As one for... fierce encounters fit. Spenser.
To join their dark encounter in mid-air. Milton.
Syn. — Contest; conflict; fight; combat; assault; rencounter; attack; engagement; onset. See Contest.