putative
[ pyoo-tuh-tiv ]
/ ˈpyu tə tɪv /
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adjective
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THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
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In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
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, adverbDictionary.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, adverbWord Origin for putative
C15: from Late Latin putātīvus supposed, from Latin putāre to consider
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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