Emily Dickinson Lexicon

COM-PAT'I-BLE, a. [Fr. compatible; Sp. id.; Port. compativel; from the L. competo, to sue or seek for the same thing, to agree; con and peto, to seek.]

Consistent; that may exist with; suitable; not incongruous; agreeable; followed by with; sometimes by to, but less properly. The poets have joined qualities which by nature are the most compatible. – Broome. The office of a legislator and of a judge are deemed not compatible. To pardon offenders is not always compatible with public safety.