PUTATIVE

putative

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

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Adjective

putative (comparative more putative, superlative most putative)

Commonly believed or deemed to be the case; accepted by supposition rather than as a result of proof.

Synonyms: ostensible, purported, reputed, supposed

Source: Wiktionary

Pu"ta*tive, a. Etym: [L. putativus, fr. putare, putatum, to reckon, suppose, adjust, prune, cleanse. See Pure, and cf. Amputate, Compute, Dispute, Impute.]

Definition: 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 Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition