Apocrypha

UK: /əˈpɒkrɪfə/ US: /əˈpɑkrəfə/ ,(ə pok′rə fə)

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

Apocrypha / əˈpɒkrɪfə/ noun the Apocrypha ⇒ (functioning as singular or plural)

1. 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
2. another name for the Pseudepigrapha

Etymology: 14th Century: via Late Latin apocrypha (scripta) hidden (writings), from Greek, from apokruptein to hide away

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

a•poc•ry•pha /əˈpɑkrəfə/   n. 

1. Bible [usually: the Apocrypha* proper noun;
   used with a singular verb] a group of books not found in the Jewish Bible or Protestant Old Testament but that are included in the Septuagint and Vulgate.
2. [plural* used with a plural verb] writings or statements of uncertain origin.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

a•poc•ry•pha  (ə pok′rə fə), n. (often used with a sing. v.)

1. Bible (cap.) 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. See table under Bible. 
2. Bible various religious writings of uncertain origin regarded by some as inspired, but rejected by most authorities.
3. writings, statements, etc., of doubtful authorship or authenticity. Cf. canon¹ (defs. 6, 7, 9).

• Greek, neuter plural of apókryphos hidden, unknown, spurious, equivalent. to apokryph- (base of apokrýptein to hide away; see apo-, crypt) + -os adjective, adjectival suffix
• Late Latin
• Middle English 1350–1400