Encounter

Part of Speech

Noun, Verb

Pronunciation

en-KOUN-ter

Definitions

• (Noun) A meeting, especially one that happens by chance or unexpectedly.
• (Noun) A confrontation or conflict.
• (Verb) To meet someone or something unexpectedly.
• (Verb) To face or experience difficulties or opposition.

Usage Examples

• She had a brief encounter with an old friend at the mall.
• The soldiers had a dangerous encounter with the enemy.
• On his journey, he encountered many challenges.
• They encountered a severe storm while sailing.

Etymology

From Old French "encontrer," meaning "to meet or confront," derived from Latin "in-" (into) and "contra" (against).

Synonyms

• Meeting
• Confrontation
• Run-in
• Face-off
• Experience

Antonyms

• Avoidance
• Separation
• Retreat

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

In British English, the second syllable is softer, while in American English, the emphasis on "KOUN" is stronger.

Historical Usage

The word "encounter" was widely used in medieval literature to describe battles and meetings between knights.

Cultural Nuances

In some cultures, an encounter can imply a mystical or fate-driven meeting, while in others, it simply means a casual meeting.

More Information

In modern contexts, "encounter" is used in social, technological, and even extraterrestrial contexts, such as "close encounters" with UFOs.