Apocryphal
/əˈpɒkrɪfəl/noun
Of doubtful authenticity; traditionally hidden, secret, or not accepted as genuine.
Did you know?In early Christian usage, apocryphal writings were often considered too secret or too spiritually dangerous for public reading, which helped turn the word into a synonym for doubtful truth.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
apókryphos
“hidden away, concealed”
Late Greek
Greek
apókruphos
“hidden, secret”
Late Latin
Latin
apocryphus
“secret, of doubtful authority (especially writings)”
Middle English
English
apocrif
“secret, non-canonical”
Modern English
English
apocryphal
“of questionable authenticity; not officially recognized as genuine”