I. “+ adjective
Etymology: Middle French, incompétent, from in- in- (I) + compétent — more at competent
1.
a. : lacking the qualities (as maturity, capacity, initiative, intelligence) necessary to effective independent action
b.
(1) : lacking specific qualifications to perform a legal function or duty or exercise a legal right — often used without implication of any kind with respect to personal fitness; distinguished from incapable
a wife is usually considered incompetent to testify against her husband in a criminal case
(2) : not acceptable in court because obtained from a legally incompetent source
incompetent testimony
incompetent evidence
: inadmissible
c. : exhibiting or characterized by organic incompetence
an incompetent mitral valve
d. : inadequate to or unsuitable for a particular purpose expressed or implied
certain genotypes are phenotypically incompetent
an incompetent system of government
pipes incompetent to carry a full head of steam
2. : being or forming strata and rock structures that have not the rigidity or strength to transmit particular stresses but that crush or flow under them
• in·competently “+ adverb
II. noun
( -s )
: one that is incompetent: as
a. : a person incapable of managing his affairs because of mental deficiency or immaturity
children and idiots are incompetents in the eyes of the law
b. : one incapable of doing properly what is required (as in a particular position)
incompetents in public office