different between sharpness vs competence

English

Etymology

From Middle English sharpnesse, scharpnesse, from Old English s?earpnes (“sharpness”), equivalent to sharp +? -ness.

Noun

sharpness (countable and uncountable, plural sharpnesses)

1. (uncountable) the cutting ability of an edge; keenness
2. (uncountable) the fineness of the point a pointed object
3. (countable) The product or result of being sharp.
4. (of food etc) pungency or acidity
5. (of an image) distinctness, focus
6. (of intelligence) acuteness or acuity
7. (obsolete) edge or blade

Synonyms

• (cutting ability of an edge): keenness
• (fineness of a point):
• (pungency, acidity): acidity, acridity, piquancy, pungency, sourness
• (of an image): clarity, distinctness, focus
• (of intelligence): acuteness, acuity

Translations

See also

• (of an image): acutance

English

Etymology

Borrowed from French compétence, from Late Latin competentia.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?k?mp?t?ns/

Noun

competence (countable and uncountable, plural competences)

1. (uncountable) The quality or state of being competent, i.e. able or suitable for a general role.
2. (countable) The quality or state of being able or suitable for a particular task; the quality or state of being competent for a particular task.
3. (linguistics) The system of linguistic knowledge possessed by native speakers of a language, as opposed to its actual use in concrete situations (performance), cf. w:linguistic competence.
4. (dated) A sustainable income.
5. (countable, law, politics) the legal authority to deal with a matter.
6. (geology) The degree to which a rock is resistant to deformation or flow.

Synonyms

• ability
• competency
• nous
• savoir-faire
• knack (colloq.)
• aptitude
• See also Thesaurus:skill

Antonyms

• inability
• ineptitude
• incompetence

Related terms

• compete
• competition
• competentness

Translations

References

• “competence” in Dictionary.com Unabridged, Dictionary.com, LLC, 1995–present.