n.pl.
1. the books included in the Septuagint and Vulgate versions of the Old Testament but not in the Hebrew Bible.
Usage:
Modern Bibles sometimes include them in the Old Testament or as an appendix, and sometimes omit them.
2 (apocrypha) writings or reports not considered genuine.
Etymology: ME f. eccl.L apocrypha (scripta) hidden writings f. Gk apokruphos f. apokrupto hide away