- Today's Word
Apocryphal
uh-POK-ruh-ful
Definition
- (adjective) Of doubtful authenticity, although widely circulated as being true.
- Relating to or resembling the Apocrypha, a collection of texts not considered part of the canonical Bible.
Example
The story about George Washington chopping down a cherry tree is likely apocryphal, created to illustrate his honesty rather than based on fact.
Fun Fact
“Apocryphal” originates from the Greek word apokryphos, meaning “hidden” or “obscure.” It was initially used to describe religious texts not included in the accepted canon of scripture due to questionable origins or authorship. Over time, its meaning broadened to encompass any widely believed tale or statement of dubious veracity. The word reminds us of how myths and legends can become ingrained in culture, even when their truth remains uncertain.
(verb) To officially forbid something, especially by law or authority; to condemn or prohibit as harmful or unacceptable.
The new administration moved quickly to proscribe several previously tolerated practices, leaving industries scrambling to interpret exactly what compliance now required.
Proscribe derives from the Latin proscribere, meaning “to publish in writing” — from pro- (“before” or “publicly”) and scribere (“to write”). In ancient Rome, proscription was a formal public notice posted in the forum listing the names of enemies of the state — men whose property was forfeit and whose killers would be rewarded. To be proscribed was to be publicly condemned and stripped of all legal protection. The word’s journey from “publicly written” to “officially forbidden” traces directly through this brutal Roman practice.