apocrypha

noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction

apoc·ry·pha | \ ə-ˈpä-krə-fə

Definition of apocrypha

1 : writings or statements of dubious authenticity

2 capitalized

a : books included in the Septuagint and Vulgate but excluded from the Jewish and Protestant canons of the Old Testament — see Bible Table

b : early Christian writings not included in the New Testament

Examples of apocrypha in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Where Nay’s book was something of a meditation on Patriotic themes in Mormon teaching, the Bundy additions — this post-2014 apocrypha — change the entire document. — Leah Sottile, Longreads, "Bundyville Chapter Four: The Gospel of Bundy," 18 May 2018 Now, any dog that comes as a rescue comes with its own apocrypha. — Tom Junod, Esquire, "The State of The American Dog," 14 July 2014

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'apocrypha.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for apocrypha

borrowed from Medieval Latin, neuter plural (for scripta apocrypha "uncanonical writings") of Late Latin apocryphus "secret, of doubtful authenticity, uncanonical," borrowed from Greek apókryphos "hidden, concealed, obscure," verbal adjective of apokrýptein "to hide (from), keep hidden (from)," from apo- apo- + krýptein "to conceal, hide" — more at crypt

Keep scrolling for more

apocrypha

Definition of apocrypha

Examples of apocrypha in a Sentence

First Known Use of apocrypha

History and Etymology for apocrypha

WORD OF THE DAY