Definitions

1. adjective

based on or suggesting a theory, but not proved or certain

“The sputative link between the two events remains unproven.”

2. adjective

speculative or hypothetical

“The sputative cause of the problem is still being researched.”

3. noun

a theory or explanation that is based on incomplete or uncertain evidence

“The sputative explanation for the anomaly was later proven to be incorrect.”

4. noun

a hypothetical or speculative theory or explanation

“The sputative solution to the problem was not implemented.”