putative
[pyoo-tuh-tiv]
- commonly regarded as such; reputed; supposed: the putative boss of the mob.
Show More
Origin of putative
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
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for putatively
Contemporary Examples
Yogurt is a putatively healthy product, and people in these parts are obsessed with fitness and nutrition.
A putatively independent website promoting his candidacy was launched recently by Trump Organization executive Michael Cohen.
One answer: In these putatively private matters people constantly reference public standards.
Historical Examples
The necklace had, in fact, made no end of trouble for several hundred putatively innocent and guileless passengers.
The BandboxLouis Joseph Vance
putative
- (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
Show More
Word Origin
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
Word Origin and History for putatively
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.
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper