Pŭ'ta-tive, n.

n. [Lat. putativus, from putare, putatum, to reckon, suppose; It. & Sp. putativo, Fr. putatif.] Commonly thought or deemed; supposed; reputed; as, the putative father of a child. “His other putative (I dare not say feigned) friends.” J. Hall.

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