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View synonyms for putative

putative

[ pyoo-tuh-tiv ]

adjective

  1. commonly regarded as such; reputed; supposed:

    the putative boss of the mob.



putative

/ ˈpjuːtətɪv /

adjective

  1. prenominal commonly regarded as being

    the putative father

  2. prenominal considered to exist or have existed; inferred
  3. 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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Derived Forms

  • ˈputatively, adverb
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Other Words From

  • puta·tive·ly adverb
  • un·puta·tive adjective
  • un·puta·tive·ly adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of putative1

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Late Latin putātīvus “considered, reckoned, reputed,” equivalent to putāt(us) (past participle of putāre “to think, consider, reckon,” originally “to prune (trees), clean (wool)” + -īvus -ive
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Word History and Origins

Origin of putative1

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

The putative end of the Reign of Terror came on July 28, 1794, when Maximilien Robespierre, the most prominent member of the Committee of Public Safety, and his closest colleagues were executed.

If two condensates interfere in just the right way, the group predicted, experimentalists should be able to capture direct images of bubbles forming in the condensate—ones that act similarly to the putative bubbles of the multiverse.

If two condensates interfere in just the right way, the group predicted, experimentalists should be able to capture direct images of bubbles forming in the condensate — ones that act similarly to the putative bubbles of the multiverse.

Virginia’s putative leader at the Constitutional Convention, Washington’s first attorney general and second secretary of state, Edmund Randolph, suffers a fall from grace he probably doesn’t deserve.

The “putative crisis” resembled a construction of its author.

Milk as a cause of or worsener of autism will have to join the long list of other putative causes.

Ever heard that statistic that 10% of kids are not actually descended from the putative father?

Michael Bloomberg, a putative Republican, noted that the general public thinks the GOP is “meshugenah” over gun control.

Mitt Romney has been the putative nominee for a month now, ever since his Wisconsin win (if not before).

The Commissioners strongly recommended the exemption of the putative father from any legal obligation to reimburse the parish.

The putative father may be asked to make his payments in such a way as to facilitate the recovery of the loan from the mother.

Mars, though not so frequently adopted by human females as a lover, had many children of whom he was the putative father.

"I wish I never had to do any sums that made more than three," is the putative horse's comment.

She is yearning for the great event; not for a promised land of jerks and spasms for herself, but for her putative offspring.

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put at easeputative marriage