Part 134

Southey.

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2. (Chem.) Incapable of being together without mutual reaction or decomposition, as certain medicines.

Incompatible terms (Logic), terms which can not be combined in thought.

Syn. -- Inconsistent; incongruous; dissimilar; irreconcilable; unsuitable; disagreeing; inharmonious; discordant; repugnant; contradictory. See Inconsistent.

In`com*pat"i*ble (?), n. (Med. & Chem.) An incompatible substance; esp., in pl., things which can not be placed or used together because of a change of chemical composition or of opposing medicinal qualities; as, the incompatibles of iron.

In`com*pat"i*ble*ness, n. The quality or state of being incompatible; incompatibility.

In`com*pat"i*bly, adv. In an incompatible manner; inconsistently; incongruously.

{ In*com"pe*tence (?), In*com"pe*tency (?), } n. [Cf. F. incompétence.]

1. The quality or state of being incompetent; want of physical, intellectual, or moral ability; insufficiency; inadequacy; as, the incompetency of a child for hard labor, or of an idiot for intellectual efforts. "Some inherent incompetency." Gladstone.

2. (Law) Want 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.

In*com"pe*tent (?), a. [L. incompetens: cf. F. incompétent. See In- not, and Competent.]

1. Not competent; wanting in adequate strength, power, capacity, means, qualifications, or the like; incapable; unable; inadequate; unfit.

Incompetent to perform the duties of the place.

Macaulay.

2. (Law) Wanting the legal or constitutional qualifications; inadmissible; as, a person professedly wanting in religious belief is an incompetent witness in a court of law or equity; incompetent evidence.

Richard III. had a resolution, out of hatred to his brethren, to disable their issues, upon false and incompetent pretexts, the one of attainder, the other of illegitimation.

Bacon.

3. Not lying within one's competency, capacity, or authorized power; not permissible.

Syn. -- Incapable; unable; inadequate; insufficient; inefficient; disqualified; unfit; improper. -- Incompetent, Incapable. Incompetent is a relative term, denoting a want of the requisite qualifications for performing a given act, service, etc.; incapable is absolute in its meaning, denoting want of power, either natural or moral. We speak of a man as incompetent to a certain task, of an incompetent judge, etc. We say of an idiot that he is incapable of learning to read; and of a man distinguished for his honor, that he is incapable of a mean action.

In*com"pe*tent*ly, adv. In an competent manner; inadequately; unsuitably.

In`com*pet`i*bil"i*ty (?), n. See Incompatibility.

In`com*pet"i*ble (?), a. See Incompatible.

In`com*plete" (?), a. [L. incompletus: cf. F. incomplet. See In- not, and Complete.]

1. Not complete; not filled up; not finished; not having all its parts, or not having them all adjusted; imperfect; defective.

A most imperfect and incomplete divine.

Milton.