Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Apocryphal
A-poc′ry-phal
,Adj.
1.
Pertaining to the Apocrypha.
2.
Not canonical. Hence: Of doubtful authority; equivocal; mythic; fictitious; spurious; false.
The passages . . . are, however, in part from
apocryphal
or fictitious works. Sir G. C. Lewis.
Webster 1828 Edition
Apocryphal
APOC'RYPHAL
,Adj.
Definition 2025
Apocryphal
apocryphal
apocryphal
See also: Apocryphal
English
Adjective
apocryphal (comparative more apocryphal, superlative most apocryphal)
- Of, or pertaining to, the Apocrypha.
- Of doubtful authenticity, or lacking authority; not regarded as canonical.
- Many scholars consider the stories of the monk Teilo to be apocryphal.
- 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.
- 1749, John Cleland, Fanny Hill: Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure, Part 3
- Charles, already dispos'd by the evidence of his senses to think my pretences to virginity not entirely apocryphal, smothers me with kisses, begs me, in the name of love, to have a little patience, and that he will be as tender of hurting me as he would be of himself.
- 1749, John Cleland, Fanny Hill: Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure, Part 3
Synonyms
- (intentionally misattributed): allonymous
Related terms
Translations
of doubtful authenticity