from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Apocrypha \A*poc"ry*pha\, n. pl., but often used as sing. with
pl. {Apocryphas}. [L. apocryphus apocryphal, Gr. ? hidden,
spurious, fr. ? to hide; ? from + ? to hide.]
1. Something, as a writing, that is of doubtful authorship or
authority; -- formerly used also adjectively. [Obs.]
--Locke.
[1913 Webster]
2. Specif.: Certain writings which are received by some
Christians as an authentic part of the Holy Scriptures,
but are rejected by others.
[1913 Webster]
Note: Fourteen such writings, or books, formed part of the
Septuagint, but not of the Hebrew canon recognized by
the Jews of Palestine. The Council of Trent included
all but three of these in the canon of inspired books
having equal authority. The German and English
Reformers grouped them in their Bibles under the title
Apocrypha, as not having dogmatic authority, but being
profitable for instruction. The Apocrypha is now
commonly ?mitted from the King James's Bible.
[1913 Webster]