Com"pe*tent (?; 94), a. [F. comp'etent, p. pr. of comp'eter to be in the competency of, LL. competere to strive after together, to agree with; hence, to be fit. See Compete.]
1.
Answering to all requirements; adequate; sufficient; suitable; capable; legally qualified; fit.
"A
competent knowledge of the world."
Arrerbury. "
Competent age."
Grafton. "
Competent statesmen."
Palfrey. /"A
competent witness."
Bouvier.
2.
Rightfully or properly belonging; incident; -- followed by to.
[Rare, except in legal usage.]
That is the privillege of the infinite Author of things, . . . but is not competent to any finite being.
Locke.
Syn. -- See Qualified.
© Webster 1913.