All 3 Uses of
competent
in
Nicholas Nickleby
- Miss Squeers, having slight misgivings on the subject, was by no means ill pleased to be confirmed by a competent authority; and discovering, on further conversation and comparison of notes, a great many points of resemblance between the behaviour of Nicholas, and that of the corn-factor, grew so exceedingly confidential, that she intrusted her friend with a vast number of things Nicholas had NOT said, which were all so very complimentary as to be quite conclusive.†
Chpt 9
- 'Whether I shall introduce myself with the same formality,' said Mr Pluck—'whether I shall say myself that my name is Pluck, or whether I shall ask my friend Pyke (who being now regularly introduced, is competent to the office) to state for me, Mrs Nickleby, that my name is Pluck; whether I shall claim your acquaintance on the plain ground of the strong interest I take in your welfare, or whether I shall make myself known to you as the friend of Sir Mulberry Hawk—these, Mrs Nickleby,…†
Chpt 27
- Mrs Wititterly was declared, upon the testimony of two veracious and competent witnesses, to be the very picture of a countess!†
Chpt 28 *
Definition:
-
(competent) capable (able to do something in a generally satisfactory manner) -- sometimes specifically to have legal capability