Obs. rare. [a. F. compéter (14th c.), ad. L. competĕre in its earlier neuter sense, ‘to fall together, coincide, come together, be convenient or fitting, be due,’ f. com- together + petĕre to fall upon, assail, aim at, make for, try to reach, strive after, sue for, solicit, ask, seek.
From the later active sense of competĕre we have COMPETE v.2; the two senses are intermixed in the derivatives that follow, but competence, -ency, competent, competible, and their derivatives, belong in the main to this sense.]
intr. To be suitable, applicable, or ‘competent.’
1541. R. Copland, Guydun’s Quest. Chirurg. There ben thre maners [of lygatures or rollynges]. One is incarnatyue, and it competeth to newe woundes, and fractures.
