RENCOUN'TER, noun Literally, a meeting of two bodies. Hence, 1. A meeting in opposition or contest. The jostling chiefs in rude rencounter join. 2. A casual combat; a sudden contest or fight without premeditation; as between individuals or small parties. 3. A casual action; an engagement between armies or fleets. The confederates should - outnumber the enemy in all rencounters and engagements. 4. Any combat, action or engagement. RENCOUN'TER, verb transitive 1. To meet unexpectedly without enmity or hostility. [This use is found in some recent publications, but is not common.] 2. To attack hand to hand. RENCOUN'TER, verb intransitive 1. To meet an enemy unexpectedly. 2. To clash; to come in collision. 3. To skirmish with another. 4. To fight hand to hand.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI