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 1913.

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