What's an Encounter?

Dictionary states that the word 'encounter' is both a noun and verb. As a noun, it is: 1. a : a meeting that is not planned or expected >an accidental encounter >a chance encounter with someone b : a usually brief experience with another person or a brief/painful encounter >He's accused of having had sexual encounters with several young women. >They had a romantic encounter [=a brief romantic relationship] several years ago. c : a violent or very unfriendly meeting >Two protesters were arrested during an encounter [=clash] with police. >There was a violent encounter between fans of the opposing teams. 2. a : an occasion when you deal with or experience something >It was her first encounter with cigarettes. 3. a : To have a close encounter with something is to come very close to being hurt or damaged by it. We encountered problems early in the project. >The pilot told us that we might encounter turbulence during the flight. >Her suggestion has encountered a lot of opposition. 2. formal a : to meet (someone) without expecting or intending to >I encountered [=ran into] an old friend on a recent business trip.