putative

Adjective

WordNet 3.0

Adjective (1)

purported; commonly put forth or accepted as true on inconclusive grounds“the foundling's putative father”“the putative author of the book”Synonyms: putative(a)

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

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. [1913 Webster]

Thus things indifferent, being esteemed useful or pious, became customary, and then came for reverence into a putative and usurped authority. --Jer. Taylor. [1913 Webster]