Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Encounter \En*coun"ter\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Encountered}; p.
   pr. & vb. n. {Encountering}.] [OF. encontrer; pref. en- (L.
   in) + contre against, L. contra. See {Counter}, 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.

         Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the
         Stoics, encountered him.                 --Acts xvii.
                                                  18.

         I am most fortunate thus accidentally to encounter you.
                                                  --Shak.