a. and sb. Obs. Also 5 ypocrafet, 5–6 appocrifate, 6 apocrafate. [f. APOCRYPHA + -ATE2: cf. literate, etc.]
A. adj. Of apocryphal origin; of spurious creation or character.
1486. Bk. St. Albans, Herald., B ij b. Ther be ij dyuerse gentylmen made of gromys … that other is called in armys a gentill man appocrifate, that is to say made vpp and gouyn to him the name and the lyueroy of a gentylman. Ibid., A vj b. Ther is a gentylman ypocrafet.
1586. Ferne, Blaz. Gentrie, 56. Our bastardly and apochryphate poets.
1655. Carter, Honor Rediv. (1660), 22. It is but rude and false Honour, and is by Sir John Ferne termed apocryphate, and debarred of all priviledges of gentility.
B. sb. A spurious or sham gentleman.
1586. Ferne, Blaz. Gentrie, 92. Such Apocrafates, as be … crept into the honorable assemblyes of the Inns of Court.
