All 4 Uses

competent
in
The Killer Angels
(Auto-generated)

A moody man, often competent, bad-tempered, wealthy, aspires to a place in Richmond society, frets and broods and fights with superiors.†
Chpt Frwd. *

competent = sufficiently capable
A competent soldier, but a man who works with an eye to the future, a slippery man, a careful soldier; he will build his reputation whatever the cost.†
Chpt Frwd.
A shy man, formal, but very competent.†
Chpt 1.2
And yet, unmistakable competence.†
Chpt 1.6

competence = ability

Definitions:

(1) (competent)
capable (able to do something in a generally satisfactory manner) -- sometimes specifically to have legal capability
(2) (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.