BMO  +  283800 Sat, 21 Oct 06 08:06 AM 1. What is the difference between a putative and an alleged father? Which one does a mother most likely take to court for paternity suit? 2.  The Latin root for putative is putare, which is also the root for amputate, compute, repute. Putare is to prune or to reckon. How could prune and reckon be related? 3.  Can I assume a putative father accepts the paternity, but an alleged father denies it? Thanks. BMO Joined on Tue, Aug 17 2004 Full Member 164 Difference Between

	Marius Hancu  +  283903 Sat, 21 Oct 06 02:37 PM I'd suggest to post in the legal section 1. The putative father is more probably taken to court. putative 1 : commonly accepted or supposed 2 : assumed to exist or to have existed 3. I think you're right, but not necessarily. commonly accepted or supposed doesn't mean HE accepts it. ----- ASSUME indicates arbitrary or deliberate acceptance of something not proved or demonstrated or susceptible of being proved or demonstrated, or acceptance in accord with what evidence is available <there are many laws at present which are inequitable, because, for example, they assume a freedom of choice on the part of one party which under existing social circumstances is not there -- Norbert Wiener> <if we take the witness at his word and assume that he has this fear -- B.N.Meltzer> http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/ ------ Also: http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/putative Marius Hancu Joined on Wed, Apr 26 2006 Veteran Member 11,673

	Marius Hancu  +  284470 Mon, 23 Oct 06 02:59 AM I should've mentioned: ---------- allege ALLEGE may indicate bringing forward and stating or affirming without proving <younger scholars nevertheless can allege a very strong point on their side and win at least a debater's victory -- Howard M. Jones> ALLEGE may stress doubt about an assertion and convey a warning and a disclaimer of responsibility for the truth of whatever is under discussion <the presence, real or alleged, of some hostile group -- John Dewey> http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com ------------- Marius Hancu