Emily Dickinson Lexicon
Definition for IN-COM'PE-TENT
IN-COM'PE-TENCE, or IN-COM'PE-TEN-CYIN-COM'PE-TENT-LY
IN-COM'PE-TENT, a. [Fr. from L. in and competens, competo. See Incompatible.]
- Wanting adequate powers of mind or suitable faculties; as, an incompetent judge. Infancy, derangement, want of learning or dotage may render a person incompetent to fill an office or to transact business.
- Wanting due strength or suitable faculties; unable.
- Wanting the legal or constitutional qualifications. A person convicted of a crime, is an incompetent witness in a court of law or equity.
- Destitute of means; unable.
- Inadequate; insufficient; as, incompetent testimony.
- Unfit; improper; legally unavailable. It is incompetent for the defendant to make this defense. Mass. Rep.
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