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putative

[ pyoo-tuh-tiv ]
/ ˈpyu tə tɪv /
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adjective
commonly regarded as such; reputed; supposed: the putative boss of the mob.
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Origin of putative

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

OTHER WORDS FROM putative

pu·ta·tive·ly, adverbun·pu·ta·tive, adjectiveun·pu·ta·tive·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use putative in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for putative

putative
/ (ˈpjuːtətɪv) /

adjective
(prenominal) commonly regarded as beingthe 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 of putative

putatively, adverb

Word Origin for putative

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