Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Competent
Com′pe-tent
(kŏm′pē̍-tent; 94)
, Adj.
[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.
2.
Rightfully or properly belonging; incident; – followed by to.
[Rare, except in legal usage.]
Syn. – See
Qualified
. Webster 1828 Edition
Competent
COMPETENT
, a.1.
Suitable; fit; convenient; hence, sufficient, that is, fit for the purpose; adequate; followed by to; as, competent supplies of food and clothing; a competent force; an army conpetent to the preservation of the kingdom or state; a competent knowledge of the world. This word usually implies a moderate supply, a sufficiency without superfluity.2.
Qualified; fit; having legal capacity or power; as a competent judge or court; a competent witness. In a judge or court, it implies right or authority to hear and determine; in a witness, it implies a legal right or capacity to testify.3.
Incident; belonging; having adequate power or right.That is the privilege of the infinite author of things, who never slumbers nor sleeps, but is not competent to any finite being.
It is not competent to the defendant to alledge fraud in the plaintiff.
Definition 2024
competent
competent
English
Adjective
competent (comparative more competent, superlative most competent)
- Having sufficient skill, knowledge, ability, or qualifications.
- He is a competent skier and an expert snowboarder.
- (law) Having jurisdiction or authority over a particular issue or question.
- For any disagreements arising from this contract, the competent court shall be the Springfield Circuit Court.
- judicial authority having competent jurisdiction
- Adequate for the purpose
- 1662, Henry More, An Antidote Against Atheism, Book II, A Collection of Several Philosophical Writings of Dr. Henry More, p. 67:
- "For if [birds] had been Viviparous, the burthen of their womb, if they had brought forth any competent number at a time, had been so big and heavy, that their wings would have failed them […] "
- 1662, Henry More, An Antidote Against Atheism, Book II, A Collection of Several Philosophical Writings of Dr. Henry More, p. 67:
Quotations
- "I believe in that myself because it has been explained by competent men as the convolutions of the grey matter." - James Joyce, Ulysses, 1922
- "That as a competent keyless citizen he had proceeded energetically from the unknown to the known through the incertitude of the void." - James Joyce, Ulysses, 1922
Related terms
Translations
skilled
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law: having jurisdiction or authority
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adequate for a purpose
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