commonly regarded as such; reputed; supposed: the putative boss of the mob.
Origin of putative
1400–50; late Middle English <Late Latin putātīvus reputed, equivalent to putāt(us) (past participle of putāre to think, consider, reckon, originally to clean, prune) + -īvus-ive
put an idea in one's head, put a premium on, put aside, put a spin on, put at ease, putative, putative marriage, put at someone's disposal, put away, put back, put back the clock
The “putative crisis” resembled a construction of its author.
How the ‘Witch Hunt’ Myth Undermined American Justice|Jason Berry|July 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Milk as a cause of or worsener of autism will have to join the long list of other putative causes.
No, PETA, Cow Milk Does Not Cause Autism|Kent Sepkowitz|May 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Ever heard that statistic that 10% of kids are not actually descended from the putative father?
Don't Worry, Dads: Those Kids are Probably Yours|Megan McArdle|February 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Michael Bloomberg, a putative Republican, noted that the general public thinks the GOP is “meshugenah” over gun control.
Obama Brinksmanship Puts GOP in Tough Spot on Debt Ceiling|Daniel Gross|January 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Mitt Romney has been the putative nominee for a month now, ever since his Wisconsin win (if not before).
Michael Tomasky: The GOP’s Impending Electoral College Meltdown|Michael Tomasky|May 3, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Putative daughter of Bothwell and Marie Stuart; who is made the companion of her mother's journeyings and captivity.
Character Sketches of Romance, Fiction and the Drama, Vol 1|The Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D.
"I am sure I do not know," I murmured, as I fumbled the portrait of my putative uncle.
City of Endless Night|Milo Hastings
My putative Russian, still in possession of the rug, let his mild gaze stray over the dingy ornaments of the room.
A Passionate Pilgrim|Henry James
"I wish I never had to do any sums that made more than three," is the putative horse's comment.
Somehow Good|William de Morgan
The first thesis, that based on putative changes in the volume of trade, though highly improbable in fact, is logically possible.
The Value of Money|Benjamin M. Anderson, Jr.
British Dictionary definitions for putative
putative
/ (ˈpjuːtətɪv) /
adjective
(prenominal)commonly regarded as beingthe putative father
(prenominal)considered to exist or have existed; inferred
grammardenoting 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