apocrypha English · revision 1488

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=before 1387}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /əˈpɒk.ɹə.fə/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|apocripha|t=not authentic]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) from [[la-med|apocrypha]], from [[la-lat|apocrypha]], short for [[m|la-lat|apocrypha scrīpta|t=hidden writings]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(Collins 2023) the neuter plural of [[m|la-lat|apocryphus|t=secret, not approved for public reading]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) from [[grc|ἀπόκρυφος|tr=apókruphos|t=hidden, obscure]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) from [[m|grc|ἀποκρύπτειν|tr=apokrúptein|t=to hide away]], from [[m|grc|ἀπό|tr=apó|t=away]] and [[m|grc|κρύπτειν|tr=krúptein|t=to hide]] (see [[crypt]]).^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) About 1445 it replaced the earlier form [[m|enm|apocrif]], from [[fro|apocrife]].^(Barnhart 1995)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ As an adjective, “of unknown authorship, not authentic, uncanonical” (1387 in the OED; before 1387 in Barnhart; late 14th century in Etymonline).^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The word was used of scriptural writings “hidden” from the general public because they were not read in church.^(MW Word Histories)^(MWU 2024) The Great Bible of 1539 explains that they were read not openly but “as it were in secrete and aparte”.^(Weekley 1921) From 1539 ''the Apocrypha'' named the books included in the Septuagint and the Vulgate but not in the Hebrew Bible,^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) which were excluded from the Bible at the Reformation.^(Weekley 1921)^(RHWU) The non-biblical sense, any writings or statements of doubtful authenticity, followed.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate) [[apocryphal]] dates from the 16th century.^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1387 – adjective, not authentic.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * c. 1445 – replaces ''apocrif''.^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * 1539 – the uncanonical books of the Old Testament.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1625 – verb, to reckon as spurious (obsolete).^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The fourteen books of the [[Septuagint]] included in the [[Vulgate]] but not in the Hebrew Bible, considered uncanonical by Protestants; usually capitalized.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Early Christian writings proposed as additions to the [[New Testament]] but rejected by the major canons.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)

+ # Writings or statements of doubtful authorship or [[authenticity]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[apocryphal]]

+ * [[crypt]]

+ * [[cryptic]]

+ * [[canon]]

+ * [[pseudepigrapha]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}