*compet*

{ , n. [ Cf. F. compétence, from L. competentia agreement. ] 1. The state of being competent; fitness; ability; adequacy; power. [ 1913 Webster ]

The loan demonstrates, in regard to instrumental resources, the competency of this kingdom to the assertion of the common cause. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

To make them act zealously is not in the competence of law. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Property or means sufficient for the necessaries and conveniences of life; sufficiency without excess. [ 1913 Webster ]

Reason's whole pleasure, all the joys of sense,
Lie in three words -- health, peace, and competence. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

Superfluity comes sooner by white hairs, but competency lives longer. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Law) (a) Legal capacity or qualifications; fitness; as, the competency of a witness or of a evidence. (b) Right or authority; legal power or capacity to take cognizance of a cause; as, the competence of a judge or court. Kent. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. the quality of being adequately or well qualified physically and intellectually, especially possession of the skill and knowledge required (for a task). [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

a. [ F. compétent, p. pr. of compéter to be in the competency of, LL. competere to strive after together, to agree with; hence, to be fit. See Compete. ] 1. Answering to all requirements; adequate; sufficient; suitable; capable; legally qualified; fit. “A competent knowledge of the world.” Atterbury. “Competent age.” Grafton. “Competent statesmen.” Palfrey. /“A competent witness.” Bouvier. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Rightfully or properly belonging; incident; -- followed by to. [ Rare, except in legal usage. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

That is the privilege of the infinite Author of things, . . . but is not competent to any finite being. Locke.

Syn. -- See Qualified. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a competent manner; adequately; suitably. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Compatible; suitable; consistent. [ Obs. ] Sir M. Hale. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. competition. See Compete. ] The act of seeking, or endeavoring to gain, what another is endeavoring to gain at the same time; common strife for the same objects; strife for superiority; emulous contest; rivalry, as for approbation, for a prize, or as where two or more persons are engaged in the same business and each seeking patronage; -- followed by for before the object sought, and with before the person or thing competed with. [ 1913 Webster ]

Competition to the crown there is none, nor can be. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

A portrait, with which one of Titian's could not come in competition. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

There is no competition but for the second place. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

Where competition does not act at all there is complete monopoly. A. T. Hadley.

Syn. -- Emulation; rivalry; rivalship; contest; struggle; contention; opposition; jealousy. See Emulation. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of or pertaining to competition; producing competition; competitory; as, a competitive examination. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. an agressive willingness to compete.
Syn. -- fight. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ L.: cf. F. compétiteur. ] 1. One who seeks what another seeks, or claims what another claims; one who competes; a rival. [ 1913 Webster ]

And can not brook competitors in love. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An associate; a confederate. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Every hour more competitors
Flock to their aid, and still their power increaseth. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Acting in competition; competing; rival. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A woman who competes. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. ] A competitress. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } n. [ Cf. F. incompétence. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. The quality or state of being incompetent; lack of physical, intellectual, or moral ability; lack of qualifications or training (for a particular task); insufficiency; inadequacy; as, the incompetency of a child for hard labor, or of an idiot for intellectual efforts. “Some inherent incompetency.” Gladstone.
Syn. -- incompetence. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Law) Lack of competency or legal fitness; incapacity; disqualification, as of a person to be heard as a witness, or to act as a juror, or of a judge to try a cause.

Syn. -- Inability; insufficiency; inadequacy; disqualification; incapability; unfitness. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. incompetens: cf. F. incompétent. See In- not, and Competent. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Not competent; wanting in adequate strength, power, capacity, means, qualifications, or the like; incapable; unable; inadequate; unfit. [ 1913 Webster ]

Incompetent to perform the duties of the place. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Law) Wanting the legal or constitutional qualifications; inadmissible; as, a person professedly wanting in religious belief is an incompetent witness in a court of law or equity; incompetent evidence; a mentally defective person is incompetent to care for himself and requires a legal guardian. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

Richard III. had a resolution, out of hatred to his brethren, to disable their issues, upon false and incompetent pretexts, the one of attainder, the other of illegitimation. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Not lying within one's competency, capacity, or authorized power; not permissible.

Syn. -- Incapable; unable; inadequate; insufficient; inefficient; disqualified; unfit; improper. -- Incompetent, Incapable. Incompetent is a relative term, denoting a lack of the requisite qualifications for performing a given act, service, etc.; incapable is absolute in its meaning, denoting lack of power, either natural or moral. We speak of a man as incompetent to a certain task, of an incompetent judge, etc. We say of an idiot that he is incapable of learning to read; and of a man distinguished for his honor, that he is incapable of a mean action. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In an competent manner; inadequately; unsuitably. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. See Incompatibility. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. See Incompatible. [ 1913 Webster ]