I. In gen., a seeker, striver after any thing (poet.): “famae,” Luc. 1, 131.—
II. In partic.
A. Polit. t. t., an applicant or candidate for an office (very rare for candidatus; not in Cic.), Scip. Afric. ap. Macr. S. 2, 10: “e petitoribus non alios adjuvare aut ad honorem pati pervenire,” Suet. Caes. 23: “hic generosior Descendat in campum petitor,” Hor. C. 3, 1, 10.—
B. Judicial t. t., a claimant, plaintiff, in private or civil suits (whereas he who prefers the complaint in a criminal case is termed accusator; “class.): quis erat petitor? Fannius: quis reus? Flavius,” Cic. Rosc. Com. 14, 42: “petitoris personam capere, accusatoris deponere,” id. Quint. 13, 45; Gai. Inst. 4, 94 et saep.—
C. A suitor, wooer (post-class.), App M. 4, p. 309 Oud.; Sen. Fragm. § 39 Haas; Cod. Th. 3, 7, 1; Ambros. in Luc. 8, 70 fin.—
