INCOM'PETENT, adjective [Latin in and competens, competo. See Incompatible.] 1. 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. 2. Wanting due strength or suitable faculties; unable. 3. Wanting the legal or constitutional qualifications. A person convicted of a crime, is an incompetent witness in a court of law or equity. 4. Destitute of means; unable. 5. Inadequate; insufficient; as incompetent testimony. 6. Unfit; improper; legally unavailable. It is incompetent for the defendant to make this defense.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI