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putative

 - 4 dictionary results

pu⋅ta⋅tive

  [pyoo-tuh-tiv]
Use putative in a Sentence
–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

Related forms:
pu⋅ta⋅tive⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source 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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Word Origin & History

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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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: pu·ta·tive
Pronunciation: 'pyü-t&-tiv
Function: adjective
: thought, assumed, or alleged to be such or to exist putative father> putative marriage before the divorce from a previous spouse was final> —pu·ta·tive·ly adverb
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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