a. [ L. petitorius, fr. petere, petitum, to beg, ask: cf. F. pétitore. ] Petitioning; soliciting; supplicating. Sir W. Hamilton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Petitory suit or
Petitory action (Admiralty Law), a suit in which the mere title to property is litigated and sought to be enforced, as distinguished from a possessory suit; also (Scots Law), a suit wherein the plaintiff claims something as due him by the defendant. Burrill. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Acting in competition; competing; rival. [ 1913 Webster ]