The Only Use of
competent
in
To Kill a Mockingbird
- It was mighty dark out there, black as ink. 'd take somebody mighty used to the dark to make a competent witness…
p. 315.7competent = sufficiently capable
Definitions:
-
(1)
(competent) capable (able to do something in a generally satisfactory manner) -- sometimes specifically to have legal capability
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(2)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus:
In the field of law, competent has the specialized meaning of being legally qualified to do something such as to be mentally fit to make reasonable decisions; or to have jurisdiction or authority to take an action.
In classic literature, a competency can refer to having an income or assets to support living expenses.