compete [E17th] This word is from Latin competere in its late sense ‘strive or contend for (something)’: the elements here are com- ‘together’ and petere ‘aim at, seek’. As well as giving us competition [E17th] this is also the source of competent [LME]; while petere gives us: impetus [M17] and impetuous [LME] ‘seek towards, assail’; petition [ME] an act of seeking for something; petulant [M16th] originally immodest in what you seek; and repeat [LME] seek again.