{ In*com"pe*tence (?), In*com"pe*tency (?), } n. [Cf. F. incompétence.]

1. The quality or state of being incompetent; want of physical, intellectual, or moral ability; insufficiency; inadequacy; as, the incompetency of a child for hard labor, or of an idiot for intellectual efforts. "Some inherent incompetency." Gladstone.

2. (Law) Want 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.