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incompetence

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in⋅com⋅pe⋅tence

[in-kom-pi-tuhns]
–noun
1. the quality or condition of being incompetent; lack of ability.
2. Law. the condition of lacking power to act with legal effectiveness.
Also, in⋅com⋅pe⋅ten⋅cy.


Origin:
1655–65; var. (with -ence for -ency ) of earlier incompetency. See incompetent, -cy
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
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in·com·pe·tence   (ĭn-kŏm'pĭ-təns)   
n.  The quality or state of being incompetent.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: in·com·pe·tence
Pronunciation: in-'käm-p&-t&ns
Function: noun
: the state or fact of being incompetent —compare COMPETENCY
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: in·com·pe·tence
Pronunciation: (')in-'käm-p&t-&n(t)s
Function: noun
1 : lack of legal qualification
2 : inability of an organ or part to perform its function adequately <incompetence of an aortic valve>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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incompetence in·com·pe·tence (ĭn-kŏm'pĭ-təns) or in·com·pe·ten·cy (-tən-sē)
n.

  1. The quality of being incompetent or incapable of performing a function, as the failure of the cardiac valves to close properly.

  2. The condition of being not legally qualified, as to stand trial.

  3. The inability to distinguish right from wrong or to manage one's affairs.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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