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.
3. to meet (a person, military force, etc.) in conflict: We will encounter the enemy at dawn.
verb (used without object)
4. to meet, especially unexpectedly or in conflict: We were angry when we encountered, but we parted with smiles.
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
That should clear everything up.