com·pe·tence   (kŏm'pĭ-təns)    n.   The state or quality of being adequately or well qualified; ability. See Synonyms at ability. A specific range of skill, knowledge, or ability. Law The quality or condition of being legally qualified to perform an act. Sufficient means for a comfortable existence. Microbiology The ability of bacteria to be genetically transformable. Medicine The ability to respond immunologically to bacteria, viruses, or other antigenic agents. Linguistics The knowledge that enables one to produce and comprehend a language.

Competence

Com"pe*tence\, Competency \Com"pe*ten*cy\, n. [Cf. F. comp['e]tence, from L. competentia agreement.]

1. The state of being competent; fitness; ability; adequacy; power.

The loan demonstrates, in regard to instrumental resources, the competency of this kingdom to the assertion of the common cause. --Burke.

To make them act zealously is not in the competence of law. --Burke.

2. Property or means sufficient for the necessaries and conveniences of life; sufficiency without excess.

Reason's whole pleasure, all the joys of sense, Lie in three words -- health, peace, and competence. --Pope.

Superfluity comes sooner by white hairs, but competency lives longer. --Shak.

3. (Law) (a) Legal capacity or qualifications; fitness; as, the competency of a witness or of a evidence. (b) Right or authority; legal power or capacity to take cognizance of a cause; as, the competence of a judge or court. --Kent.

Main Entry: com·pe·tence
Pronunciation: 'käm-p&-t&ns
Function: noun
: the quality or state of being competent: as a : possession of sufficient knowledge or skill b : legal authority, ability, or admissibility competence> competence of witnesses> competence of the evidence>

Main Entry: com·pe·tence
Pronunciation: 'käm-p&t-&n(t)s
Function: noun
: the quality or state of being functionally adequatecompetence of a failing heart>: as a : the properties of an embryonic field that enable it to respond in a characteristic manner to an organizer b : readiness of bacteria to undergo genetic transformation

competence com·pe·tence (kŏm'pĭ-təns)
n.

1. The quality of being competent or capable of performing an allotted function.
2. The quality or condition of being legally qualified to perform an act.
3. The mental ability to distinguish right from wrong and to manage one's own affairs.
4. The ability of a cell, especially a bacterial cell, to be genetically transformable.
5. The ability to respond immunologically to viruses or other antigenic agents.
6. Integrity, especially the normal tight closure of a cardiac valve.

competence   (kŏm'pĭ-təns)  Pronunciation Key  The ability of bacteria to be undergo genetic transformation. The ability to respond immunologically to an antigen, as in an immune cell responding to a virus. The ability to function normally because of structural integrity, as in a heart valve.