Encounter
/ɪnˈkaʊntər/noun
To meet or come across someone or something, often unexpectedly.
Did you know?The word comes through Old French from the Latin prefix contra- (“against”), so its deepest history carries the energy of opposition before it ever meant a simple meeting.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
contra
“against, opposite”
Old French
OF
encounterer
“to meet face to face; to confront”
Middle English
English
encountren
“to meet in combat or opposition”
15th Century
English
encounter
“a meeting, especially one involving opposition or chance”
Modern English
English
encounter
“to meet or come across, often unexpectedly”