In*com"pe*tent (?), a. [L.
incompetens: cf. F. incompétent. See In-
not, and Competent.]
1. Not competent; wanting in adequate
strength, power, capacity, means, qualifications, or the like;
incapable; unable; inadequate; unfit.
Incompetent to perform the duties of the
place.
Macaulay.
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.
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.
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
want of the requisite qualifications for performing a given act,
service, etc.; incapable is absolute in its meaning, denoting
want 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.
