putative


pu·ta·tive

adj \ˈpyü-tə-tiv\

Definition of PUTATIVE

1
: commonly accepted or supposed
2
: assumed to exist or to have existed
pu·ta·tive·ly adverb

Examples of PUTATIVE

  1. <the putative reason for her dismissal was poor job performance>
  2. This has always been a nation willing to sell out its past for putative progress. —Anna Quindlen, Newsweek, 3 June 2002

Origin of PUTATIVE

Middle English, from Late Latin putativus, from Latin putatus, past participle of putare to think
First Known Use: 15th century

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