Nearby Words
verb (used with object)
1.
to come upon or meet with, especially unexpectedly: to encounter a new situation.
2.
to meet with or contend against (difficulties, opposition, etc.): We encounter so many problems in our work.
verb (used without object)
4.
to meet, especially unexpectedly or in conflict: We were angry when we encountered, but we parted with smiles.
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Encounter
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is subtilize. Does it mean:
| to introduce subtleties into or argue subtly about. |
| to expurgate (a written work) by removing or modifying passages considered vulgar or objectionable. |
noun
5.
a meeting with a person or thing, especially a casual, unexpected, or brief meeting: Our running into each other was merely a chance encounter.
6.
a meeting of persons or groups that are in conflict or opposition; combat; battle: Another such encounter and we may lose the war.
7.
Psychology. a meeting of two or more people, as the members of an encounter group or a number of married couples (marriage encounter), conducted to promote direct emotional confrontations among the participants, especially as a form of therapy (encounter therapy).
Origin:
1250–1300; Middle English encountren < Anglo-French enco(u)ntrer; Old French < Vulgar Latin *incontrāre, equivalent to in- in-1 + -contrāre, derivative of contrā against; see counter3
1250–1300; Middle English encountren < Anglo-French enco(u)ntrer; Old French < Vulgar Latin *incontrāre, equivalent to in- in-1 + -contrāre, derivative of contrā against; see counter3
Related forms
en·coun·ter·er, noun
pre·en·coun·ter, noun, verb (used with object)
re·en·coun·ter, verb, noun
un·en·coun·tered, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To encounter
Collins
World English Dictionary
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
encounter
c.1300, "meeting of adversaries," from O.Fr. encountrer "confront," from encontre (prep. and adv.) "against, counter to," from L.L. incontra "in front of," from L. in- "in" + contra "against." Weakened sense of "casually meet" first recorded in English early 16c. Related: Encountered; encountering.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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