rencounter

American  

[ren-koun-ter] / rɛnˈkaʊn tər /

noun

1. a hostile meeting; battle.

2. a contest of any kind.

3. a casual meeting.

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verb (used with or without object)

1. to encounter casually.

2. Obsolete. to meet hostilely.

rencounter British  

/ rɛnˈkaʊntə /

noun

1. an unexpected meeting

2. a hostile clash, as of two armies, adversaries, etc; skirmish

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verb

1. to meet (someone) unexpectedly

Etymology

Origin of rencounter

From the Middle French word rencontrer, dating back to 1495–1505. See re-, encounter

Example Sentences

We passed on without further rencounter till on the Quai des Oiseleurs we espied a young damsel striding along with a notable air of resolution.

From The Merrie Tales of Jacques Tournebroche And Child Life in Town and Country by Allinson, A. R. (Alfred Richard)

Without a thought they began a sort of challenging rencounter with horse-artillery and cavalry.

From The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte Vol. IV. (of IV.) by Sloane, William Milligan

Continuing onward, and hardly recovered from my astonishment at the rencounter with the coyotes, when up bounded, within thirty yards, three large deer, and with the coolest impudence stared me full in the face.

From Los Gringos Or, An Inside View of Mexico and California, with Wanderings in Peru, Chili, and Polynesia by Wise, H. A. (Henry Augustus)

But really the possible alternatives of rencounter are far less numerous.

From Logic, Inductive and Deductive by Minto, William

Naught, from the evening of the rencounter, had we heard or seen of Ludolf.

From Harper's New Monthly Magazine, No. 22, March, 1852, Volume 4. by

Related Words

• challenge
• discussion
• game
• match
• meeting
• sport
• tournament
• trial