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.

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

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)