pseudepigraphy

English

Etymology

pseudo- +‎ epigraphy

Noun

pseudepigraphy (plural pseudepigraphies)

1. The composition of pseudepigrapha, false credit of authorship to give ideas greater legitimacy.
   • 1988, Ithamar Gruenwald, From Apocalypticism to Gnosticism: Studies in Apocalypticism, Merkavah Mysticism and Gnosticism, Peter Lang, page 24:

     Pseudepigraphy was sometimes regarded as a literary lie, a forgery, which enabled the apocalyptic writers to acquire authority for their writings by using a borrowed identity.

Related terms

• pseudepigraph
• pseudepigrapha
• pseudepigrapher
• pseudepigraphic
• pseudepigraphon
• pseudepigraphum

 

References

• “pseudepigraphy”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.