apocrypha

[ uh-pok-ruh-fuh ]

noun

, (often used with a singular verb)

1. (initial capital letter) a group of 14 books, not considered canonical, included in the Septuagint and the Vulgate as part of the Old Testament, but usually omitted from Protestant editions of the Bible.
2. various religious writings of uncertain origin regarded by some as inspired, but rejected by most authorities.
3. writings, statements, etc., of doubtful authorship or authenticity. Compare canon ¹( defs 6, 7, 9 ).

Apocrypha

/ əˈpɒkrɪfə /

noun

1. the 14 books included as an appendix to the Old Testament in the Septuagint and the Vulgate but not included in the Hebrew canon. They are not printed in Protestant versions of the Bible
2. RC Church another name for the Pseudepigrapha

Apocrypha

1. Religious writings that have been accepted as books of the Bible (see also Bible ) by some groups but not by others. The Roman Catholic Church , for example, includes seven books, such as Judith, I and II Maccabees , and Ecclesiasticus, in the Old Testament that Jews (see also Jews ) and Protestants do not consider part of the Bible. Some churches may read the Apocrypha for inspiration but not to establish religious doctrine.

Notes

By extension, an “apocryphal” story is one that is probably false but nevertheless has some value.

Word History and Origins

Origin of apocrypha¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin < Greek, neuter plural of apókryphos hidden, unknown, spurious, equivalent to apokryph- (base of apokrýptein to hide away; apo-, crypt ) + -os adj. suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of apocrypha¹

C14: via Late Latin apocrypha ( scripta ) hidden (writings), from Greek, from apokruptein to hide away

Example Sentences

Created with the librettist and director Peter Sellars, a frequent collaborator, “El Niño” is an alternative Nativity story, drawing its Spanish, Latin and English texts from the Apocrypha, 20th-century Mexican and South American poetry, a medieval mystery play and, of course, the New Testament.

From New York Times

This is “El Nino,” a retelling of the birth and early life of Jesus through a mix of biblical verses and modern Latin American poetry, medieval texts and apocrypha.

From Seattle Times

The capricious churn of internet-charged culture is producing more main characters, apocrypha and relics than we can handle.

From New York Times

His threads can sometimes land closer to apocrypha than unassailable truth.

From New York Times

As prologue to this thoughtfully reported book, British travel writer Shafik Meghji recounts a telling bit of apocrypha.

From Washington Post