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Synonyms

rencounter

American  
[ren-koun-ter] / rɛnˈkaʊn tər /

noun

  1. a hostile meeting; battle.

  2. a contest of any kind.

  3. a casual meeting.


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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to meet (someone) unexpectedly

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of rencounter

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

I was beginning to recover my tranquillity, when the appearance of Mr. Talton drove me from your protection:—of my subsequent rencounter with the smugglers, I have already informed you.

From The Mysterious Wanderer, Vol. III A Novel in Three Volumes by Sophia Reeve

After the first awkwardness of such a rencounter had worn off Dorothy found Wilfred entertaining.

From The Vanity Girl by Compton MacKenzie

Guy Fawkes lingered for a moment, doubting whether he should mention his rencounter with Humphrey Chetham.

From Guy Fawkes or The Gunpowder Treason by William Harrison Ainsworth

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 William Milligan Sloane

Concealing himself from any chance of a rencounter, he allotted a space of twelve minutes by his watch, and time never paced more tardy with him in all his life.

From Parson Kelly by Andrew Lang

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