reencounter

Reencounter is the act of encountering someone or something again after an initial meeting or a period of separation. The term, formed from re- and encounter, can apply to people, groups, objects, or places that are brought back into contact after a lapse in time or circumstance. A reencounter may be intentional or accidental and can vary in emotional significance.

In literature and film, reencounter is a common narrative device used to explore relationships, resolve conflicts, or drive plot development. It often marks a turning point, revealing character growth, forgiveness, or new dynamics. The timing, setting, and emotional tone of a reencounter influence its impact on the story and its themes.

In science and space exploration, the concept appears in more technical contexts. In orbital mechanics, a spacecraft may perform a reencounter with a celestial body after a previous pass, influenced by gravity and mission design. In astronomy, a later close approach of a body with another object is sometimes described as a reencounter, depending on the observer's perspective.

In social science and psychology, reencounters can be studied as reunions that reflect attachment, memory, and coping with change. They may occur in family dynamics, migration contexts, or after disasters, and can affect individuals and groups through restored contact, renewed conflict, or changed relationships.

Related concepts include reunion, reconciliation, recurrence, and revival.