1.
[syn: incompetence, incompetency]
2. inability of a part or organ to function properly;
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Incompetence \In*com"pe*tence\, Incompetency \In*com"pe*tency\,
n. [Cf. F. incomp['e]tence.]
[1913 Webster]
1. The quality or state of being incompetent; lack of
physical, intellectual, or moral ability; lack of
qualifications or training (for a particular task);
insufficiency; inadequacy; as, the incompetency of a child
for hard labor, or of an idiot for intellectual efforts.
"Some inherent incompetency." --Gladstone.
Syn: incompetence.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Law) Lack 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.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
incompetence
n 1: lack of physical or intellectual ability or qualifications
[syn: incompetence, incompetency] [ant: competence,
competency]
2: inability of a part or organ to function properly