competent

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   adequate for the purpose

   a competent performance

2. 2
   adj

   properly or sufficiently qualified or capable or efficient

   a competent typist

3. 3
   adj

   legally qualified or sufficient

   a competent court

4. 4
   adj

   Having sufficient skill, knowledge, ability, or qualifications.

   He is a competent skier and an expert snowboarder.

5. 5
   adj

   Having jurisdiction or authority over a particular issue or question.

   For any disagreements arising from this contract, the competent court shall be the Springfield Circuit Court.

6. 6
   adj

   Adequate for the purpose.

   For if they [birds] had been Viviparous, the burthen of their womb, if they had brought forth any competent number at a time, had been ſo big and heavy, that their wings would have failed them, and ſo every body would have had the wit to catch the Old one.

7. 7
   adj

   Functionally in order; functioning adequately.

   a competent sphincter;   a competent cervix;   a competent immune system

8. 8
   adj

   Permeable to foreign DNA.

Etymology

From Middle English competent, conpetent, from Old French competent (modern French compétent), from Latin competens, competentem, present participle of competō (“coincide, be equal to, be capable of”). Compare Dutch competent (“competent”), German kompetent (“competent”), Danish kompetent (“competent”).