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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Competent, a. Also: -pitent. [ME. competent (c 1400), -pytent, OF. competent, L. competent-, competens.]

1. Fitting, suitable. (In various contexts.)(1) 1402 Reg. Panmure II. 184.
Quhille the tyme that I … mak to the forsaid Alexander … five markks worth of land in competente plase 1467 Lennox Mun. 79.
That the remanent thareof be assignit to him in vthir competent placis sene spedefull to ws 1488 Acta Aud. 115/1.
Alane sall gif … als mekele, as gude landis and liand als competent(2) 1436 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 4.
Gif ony takkis on hand to bye this vitaile … the commouns sall haif it for the price competent 1480 Ib. 37.
At the provest … by it vpon ane competent price to the behuif of the haill nichtbouris 1484 Acta Aud. 146*/1.
Scho sal sett thaim to the said Alexander & to nane vther for competent male 1530 Acta Conc. MS. XLI. 118.
That thai … sall be applesit for thar travel and laubouris … apoun ane competent price 1576 Aberd. B. Rec. II. 28.
[Till] the baillies, with certan sworne comprysaris, comprysit the samin [beiff], and putt ane competent pryce thairon(3) c1420 Wynt. ix. 1990.
This wes nocht like in jugement Done, na in face competent, Na be ony autorité 1501 Charter (Reg. H.) No. 638.
A lettre of tak maid to me … in competent dew forme be the said John Menȝeys 1548 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 137.
That thai mycht call thairfor tyme and place competent, as law will 1580 Inverness B. Rec. I. 278.
Ane partitioune … of the said haill towne … to be tane on sum competent day 1627 Conv. Burghs III. 241.
To meitt and convein at the said burgh ane competent spaice before the said day(4) a1585 Maitl. Q. xlviii. 45.
Not abill … with colouris competent So quiklie … a forme to represent

b. Appropriate or properly pertaining to. 1598 Acts IV. 177/2.
The tymes … for heiring of complaintes and calling of actionis compitent to that iudicatorie

2. Of persons: Fit, capable. 1456 Hay I. 150/24.
He namyt … annerly ane hundreth men of armes, sufficient and competent 1562 Montgomery Mem. 190.
The saidis Thomas … is nocht perfyte in his wittis, nor compitent in his self

b. Of a judge: Legally qualified; having jurisdiction. 1456 Hay I. 205/32.
Gif a man … has askit justice … before a competent juge 1540 Edinb. Chart. 211.
The Lordis of Counsale vnderstandis that the Provest and Ballies of Edinburgh ar competent jugis in the said mater 1560 Peebles B. Rec. 272.
The said wardane … denyit to admit the said baillies as juges competent 1593 St. A. Kirk S. 765.
The said Patrik … allegit the sessioun to be na jugis compitent to him in this cais