competent

The story

1. Latin · derived fromcompetens, competentem
2. Old French · derived fromcompetent
3. Middle English · inherited fromcompetent
4. English todaycompetent

From Middle English competent, conpetent, from Old French competent (modern French compétent), from Latin competens, competentem, present participle of competō (“coincide, be equal to, be capable of”). Compare Dutch competent (“competent”), German kompetent (“competent”), Danish kompetent (“competent”).