incompetence
or in·com·pe·ten·cy
[in-kom-pi-tuh ns or in-kom-pi-tuh n-see]
- the quality or condition of being incompetent; lack of ability.
- Law. the condition of lacking power to act with legal effectiveness.
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Origin of incompetence
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
lackincapacityshortcominginefficacyinadequacyweaknessinefficiencydisqualificationpowerlessnessineptitudeincompetencefailureinsufficiencynecessityfrailtyineffectivenessimpotenceincapabilityinaptitudeineptnessExamples from the Web for incompetency
Historical Examples
For all the grandeur of their names they rivalled one another in incompetency and timidity.
BulgariaFrank Fox
"Incompetency, if you want the brutal truth," Dudley broke in not unkindly.
The La Chance Mine MysterySusan Carleton Jones
General Toombs frequently referred to the incompetency of Mr. Davis.
Robert ToombsPleasant A. Stovall
Davis' incompetency is more apparent as our danger increases.
Robert ToombsPleasant A. Stovall
Furthermore, I said I would not stand for the discharge of any man for incompetency.
An Anarchist WomanHutchins Hapgood
Word Origin and History for incompetency
n.
1610s; see incompetence.
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incompetence
n.
1660s, "inadequacy;" 1716, "want of skill," from French incompétence (mid-16c.), from in- "not, opposite of, without" (see in- (1)) + compétence (see competence). Native formation incompetency (from incompetent + -cy) is attested from 1610s.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
incompetence
(ĭn-kŏm′pĭ-təns)- The quality of being incompetent or incapable of performing a function, as the failure of the cardiac valves to close properly.
- The condition of being not legally qualified, as to stand trial.
- The inability to distinguish right from wrong or to manage one's affairs.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.