purported

An object, purpose or intention which is intended to have effect or be done, which actually has not been effected or done. For instance, one person may say that he has accepted an offer with the legal effect that a binding contract has been formed. A person denying that the contract questioning the validity of the acceptance of the offer may properly refer to the acceptance as a ‘purported acceptance’.

Usage: The purported contract alleged to have been formed by the claimant was held not to have been properly formed by the court.

Related Words: without delay; forthwith; immediately; reasonable; as soon as possible.