Apocryphal

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /əˈpÉ’kɹɪfÉ™l/, /əˈpÉ’kɹəfÉ™l/
• US IPA: /əˈpɑːkɹɪfÉ™l/, /əˈpɑːkɹəfÉ™l/

Origin

From Late Latin apocryphus ("secret, not approved for public reading"), from Ancient Greek ἀπόκρυφος (apokryphos, "hidden, obscure", thus “(books) of unknown authorship”.), from ἀπό (apo, "from") + κρύπτω (kruptō, "I hide"). Properly plural (the singular would be apocryphon), but commonly treated as a collective singular. “Apocryphal” meaning “of doubtful authenticity” is first attested in English in 1590.

Full definition of apocryphal

Adjective

1. Of, or pertaining to, the Apocrypha.
2. Of doubtful authenticity, or lacking authority; not regarded as canonical.Many scholars consider the stories of the monk Teilo to be apocryphal.
3. Of dubious veracity; of questionable accuracy or truthfulness; anecdotal or in the nature of an urban legend.There is an apocryphal tale of a little boy plugging the dike with his finger.

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