Which word describes something that is commonly accepted or supposed?

The word that describes something that is commonly accepted or supposed is "putative." This term is often used in legal contexts to refer to something that is assumed or accepted as true, particularly without definitive proof. It signifies a widely held belief or assumption regarding a fact or status, often serving as a basis for further reasoning or legal action.

In legal terminology, "putative" can be applied in situations involving putative fathers, where a man is presumed to be the father of a child based on societal or legal standards, even if paternity has not been legally established. This concept captures the nuance of social acceptance of an assumption until proven otherwise, making "putative" the correct choice for describing something that is accepted or supposed without the need for concrete evidence.

Other words like "assumed," "presumed," and "apparent" also have related meanings but do not carry the same connotations of common acceptance or supposition in a legal context as clearly as "putative." "Assumed" implies a belief taken for granted without evidence, "presumed" suggests a belief based on reasonable evidence or expectation, and "apparent" indicates something that is visible or easily perceived but does not inherently confer the same universal acceptance that "