ADJECTIVE (3)

1. properly or sufficiently qualified or capable or efficient;
- Example: "a competent typist"

2. adequate for the purpose;
- Example: "a competent performance"

3. legally qualified or sufficient;
- Example: "a competent court"
- Example: "competent testimony"

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Competent \Com"pe*tent\ (k[o^]m"p[-e]*tent; 94), a. [F.
   comp['e]tent, p. pr. of comp['e]ter to be in the competency
   of, LL. 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.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Rightfully or properly belonging; incident; -- followed by
      to. [Rare, except in legal usage.]
      [1913 Webster]

            That is the privilege of the infinite Author of
            things, . . . but is not competent to any finite
            being.                                --Locke.

   Syn: See Qualified.
        [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

competent
    adj 1: properly or sufficiently qualified or capable or
           efficient; "a competent typist" [ant: incompetent]
    2: adequate for the purpose; "a competent performance"
    3: legally qualified or sufficient; "a competent court";
       "competent testimony" [ant: incompetent, unqualified]