incompétence

Forms

incompétence f (plural incompétences)^[1] Also spelled incompétance in 1536.^[2]

Etymology

It is formed from French incompétent + -ence, after compétence.^[3][4][5][1] Littré analyses it as the prefix in- added to that noun.^[6] The adjective, recorded from 1505, was borrowed from Late Latin incompetens.^[5]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first a legal term: an edict of 1536 has incompétance,^[2][3] and Canappe writes incompétence in 1537.^[4][5]

Semantic evolution

In law it means the lack of power of a court or a public authority to decide a matter or to perform an act.^[3][4] Rey notes that incompétent and incompétence appeared in the 16th century and have kept both a legal and an everyday value.^[7] The everyday sense, a lack of the knowledge or skill needed to judge or to do something, is recorded by Féraud in 1787.^[4][8]

Timeline

• 1505 – Incompétent is recorded.^[5]
• 1536 – Incompétance appears in an edict.^[2][3]
• 1537 – Canappe writes incompétence.^[4][5]
• 1787 – Féraud records the everyday sense “lack of skill”.^[4][8]

Meanings

Noun

1. (law) The lack of legal power of an authority or a court to decide a matter or perform an act: Le tribunal a reconnu son incompétence dans cette affaire.^[8][3][6]
2. Lack of the knowledge or skill needed for something; incompetence, ignorance: Il a avoué son incompétence en informatique.^[8][4][9]

Related words

• incompétent
• compétence
• compétent

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
3. ^ a b c d e Trésor de la langue française informatisé (2004), ATILF – CNRS & Université de Lorraine, atilf.fr/tlfi; electronic version of Imbs, Paul; Quemada, Bernard, eds. (1971–1994), Trésor de la langue française, Paris: CNRS / Gallimard
4. ^ a b c d e f g Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
5. ^ a b c d e Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
6. ^ a b Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
7. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
8. ^ a b c d Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
9. ^ Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)