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 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