Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Incompetent?

\In*com"pe*tent\, a. [L. incompetens: cf. F. incomp['e]tent. 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. Usage: {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.