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Definition of putative - 5 dictionary results
pu⋅ta⋅tive
[pyoo-tuh-tiv] 
–adjective
| commonly regarded as such; reputed; supposed: the putative boss of the mob. |
Origin:
1400–50; late ME < LL putātīvus reputed, equiv. to putāt(us) (ptp. of putāre to think, consider, reckon, orig. to clean, prune) + -īvus -ive
1400–50; late ME < LL putātīvus reputed, equiv. to putāt(us) (ptp. of putāre to think, consider, reckon, orig. to clean, prune) + -īvus -ive
Related forms:
pu⋅ta⋅tive⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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|
Link To putative
| pu·ta·tive (pyōō'tə-tĭv) adj. Generally regarded as such; supposed. See Synonyms at supposed. [Middle English, from Old French putatif, from Late Latin putātīvus, from Latin putāre, to prune, think; see pau-2 in Indo-European roots.] pu'ta·tive·ly adv. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Putative
Pu"ta*tive\, a. [L. putativus, fr. putare, putatum, to reckon, suppose, adjust, prune, cleanse. See Pure, and cf. Amputate, Compute, Dispute, Impute.] Commonly thought or deemed; supposed; reputed; as, the putative father of a child. "His other putative (I dare not say feigned) friends." --E. Hall. Thus things indifferent, being esteemed useful or pious, became customary, and then came for reverence into a putative and usurped authority. --Jer. Taylor.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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putative
1432, from M.Fr. putatif, from L. putativus "supposed" (c.200), from putatus, pp. of putare "think, suppose," related to purus "pure." At first esp. in putative marriage, one which, though legally invalid, was contracted in good faith by at least one party.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Main Entry: pu·ta·tive
Pronunciation: 'pyü-t&-tiv
Function: adjective
: thought, assumed, or alleged to be such or to exist
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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