A more thorough explanation:

Definition: Prior petens is a Latin term that refers to the person who applies first.

Example: When two or more people apply for the same job, the prior petens is the one who submitted their application first.

Explanation: The term prior petens is often used in legal contexts, such as in cases where multiple parties are competing for the same resource or opportunity. In these situations, the prior petens is given priority over other applicants because they were the first to apply. For example, if two people apply for a patent on the same invention, the prior petens would be the one who filed their application first and would be granted the patent.