En·coun·ter v. t. [imp. & p. p. Encountered p. pr. & vb. n. Encountering.] 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.