Incompetent \In*com"pe*tent\, a. [L. incompetens: cf. F.
   incomp['e]tent. See {In-} not, and {Competent}.]
   
[1913 Webster]

   1. Not competent; wanting in adequate strength, power,
      capacity, means, qualifications, or the like; incapable;
      unable; inadequate; unfit.
      
[1913 Webster]


            Incompetent to perform the duties of the place.
                                                  --Macaulay.
      
[1913 Webster]


   2. (Law) Wanting the legal or constitutional qualifications;
      inadmissible; as, a person professedly wanting in
      religious belief is an incompetent witness in a court of
      law or equity; incompetent evidence; a mentally defective
      person is incompetent to care for himself and requires a
      legal guardian.
      [1913 Webster +PJC]

            Richard III. had a resolution, out of hatred to his
            brethren, to disable their issues, upon false and
            incompetent pretexts, the one of attainder, the
            other of illegitimation.              --Bacon.
      
[1913 Webster]


   3. Not lying within one's competency, capacity, or authorized
      power; not permissible.

   Syn: Incapable; unable; inadequate; insufficient;
        inefficient; disqualified; unfit; improper.

   Usage: {Incompetent}, {Incapable}. Incompetent is a relative
          term, denoting a lack of the requisite qualifications
          for performing a given act, service, etc.; incapable
          is absolute in its meaning, denoting lack of power,
          either natural or moral. We speak of a man as
          incompetent to a certain task, of an incompetent
          judge, etc. We say of an idiot that he is incapable of
          learning to read; and of a man distinguished for his
          honor, that he is incapable of a mean action.
          
[1913 Webster]