In*com"pe*tence (?), In*com"pe*tency (?), n. [Cf. F. incomp'etence.]
1.
The quality or state of being incompetent; want of physical, intellectual, or moral ability; insufficiency; inadequacy; as, the incompetency of a child hard labor, or of an idiot for intellectual efforts.
"Some inherent
incompetency."
Gladstone.
2. Law
Want of competency or legal fitness; incapacity; disqualification, as of a person to be heard as a witness, or to act as a juror, or of a judge to try a cause.
Syn. -- Inability; insufficiency; inadequacy; disqualification; incapability; unfitness.
© Webster 1913.