Main Entry:

apoc·ry·pha

Pronunciation:

\ə-ˈpä-krə-fə\

Function:

noun plural but singular or plural in construction

Etymology:

Medieval Latin, from Late Latin, neuter plural of apocryphus secret, not canonical, from Greek apokryphos obscure, from apokryptein to hide away, from apo- + kryptein to hide — more at crypt

Date:

14th century

1: writings or statements of dubious authenticity2capitalized 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