Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Competent

Competent (kom"pe*tent; 94) , adjective

[French compétent, present participle of compéter to be in the competency of, Late Latin competere to strive after together, to agree with; hence, to be fit. See Compete.]

1.
Answering to all requirements; adequate; sufficient; suitable; capable; legally qualified; fit.
A competent knowledge of the world. — Atterbury
Competent age. — Grafton
Competent statesmen. — Palfrey
A competent witness. — Bouvier
2.
Rightfully or properly belonging; incident; -- followed by to. [Rare, except in legal usage.]
That is the privilege of the infinite Author of things,... but is not competent to any finite being. — Locke