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Added 9 October 2026

putative

/ˈpjuː.tə.tɪv/ adjective

Latin root: putātīvus Wiktionary

adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about putative at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Commonly believed or deemed to be the case; generally assumed.
Accepted by supposition rather than as a result of proof.
Alleged, purported, ostensible, professed.

Origin

First attested c. 1432, from Middle French putatif, from Latin putātīvus (“supposed, purported”), from putātus (“thought”), from putō (“to think, to consider, to reckon”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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