Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
pseudepigraph
noun
/ˌsuː.dəˈpɪg.ræf/
Definition
A work, often a literary or religious text, that is falsely attributed to a specific author.
Examples
- The Book of Enoch is considered a pseudepigraph, as it is attributed to an ancient figure but was likely written later.
- Many pseudepigrapha exist in religious contexts, aimed at providing teachings under another name.
- Scholars study pseudepigrapha to understand the historical and cultural context of the time they were written.
Meaning
The term refers to writings that are claimed to be written by someone other than the actual author, often to lend credibility or authority to the work.
Synonyms
- false attribution
- forgery
- apocryphal writing
