apocrypha

American  

[uh-pok-ruh-fuh] / əˈpɒk rə fə /

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.

---

Apocrypha British  

/ 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 Cultural  

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.

---

Discover More

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

Etymology

Origin of apocrypha

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

Example Sentences

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 • Apr. 18, 2024

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

From New York Times • Jan. 3, 2024

“Legends, apocrypha and truths hover around their heads like crazed doves,” George Garrett, a former creative writing teacher at the University of Virginia, told The Washington Post in 2002.

From Washington Post • Oct. 13, 2018

With each anniversary we’re reminded how much history persists within the present, even as closer examination tends to reveal received wisdom as a jumbled heap of broken telephone apocrypha.

From Slate • Jul. 22, 2015

Lucifer of Cagliari316 uses the apocrypha equally with the canonical books.

From The Canon of the Bible by Davidson, Samuel