Competent
Pronunciation : Com"pe*tent (; 94)
Part of Speech : a.
Etymology : [F. comp?tent, p. pr. of comp?ter to be in the competency of, LL. competere to strive after together, to agree with; hence, to be fit. See Compete.]
Definition : 1. Answering to all requirements; adeqouate; 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.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913