putative

[pyoo-tuh-tiv] /ˈpyu tə tɪv/

adjective

commonly regarded as such; reputed; supposed:

the putative boss of the mob.

Origin

1400-50; late Middle English < Late Latin putātīvus reputed, equivalent to putāt(us) (past participle of putāre to think, consider, reckon, orig. to clean, prune) + -īvus -ive

Related forms

putatively, adverb

unputative, adjective

unputatively, adverb

Examples from the web for putative

Some people use the term to refer to the putative singularity at which space and time came into existence.
Suppose, that is, you have a set of premises and a putative conclusion.
Unfortunately, this putative conqueror of the common cold loses its potency rather quickly when exposed to air.
In light of that information his cases of putative influence-peddling look strikingly anomalous.

British Dictionary definitions for putative

putative

/ˈpjuːtətɪv/

adjective

(prenominal) commonly regarded as being: the putative father

(prenominal) considered to exist or have existed; inferred

(grammar) denoting a mood of the verb in some languages used when the speaker does not have direct evidence of what he is asserting, but has inferred it on the basis of something else

Derived Forms

putatively, adverb

Word Origin

C15: from Late Latin putātīvus supposed, from Latin putāre to consider

Word Origin and History for putative

adj.

early 15c., from Middle French putatif, from Late Latin putativus "supposed," from Latin putat-, past participle stem of putare "to judge, suppose, believe, suspect," originally "to clean, trim, prune" (see pave). At first especially in putative marriage, one which, though legally invalid, was contracted in good faith by at least one party. Related: Putatively.