apocrypha
[ uh-pok-ruh-fuh ]
/ əˈpɒk rə fə /
noun (often used with a singular verb)
(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.
various religious writings of uncertain origin regarded by some as inspired, but rejected by most authorities.
writings, statements, etc., of doubtful authorship or authenticity.
Compare canon1(defs 6, 7, 9).
Words nearby apocrypha
Example sentences from the Web for apocrypha
British Dictionary definitions for apocrypha
Apocrypha
/ (əˈpɒkrɪfə) /
noun the Apocrypha (functioning as singular or plural)
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
RC Church another name for the Pseudepigrapha
Word Origin for Apocrypha
C14: via Late Latin
apocrypha (
scripta) hidden (writings), from Greek, from
apokruptein to hide away
Cultural definitions for apocrypha
Apocrypha
[ (uh-pok-ruh-fuh) ]
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 for Apocrypha
By extension, an “apocryphal” story is one that is probably false but nevertheless has some value.