Supererogatory

Pronunciation

• IPA: /suːpÉ™rɛˈrÉ’É¡É™tÉ™ri/

Origin

From Latin superērogātōrius ("supererogatory"), from superērogātiō ("payment in addition"), from superērogō ("pay out over and above"), from super ("above") + ērogō ("pay out, expend"); from ex ("out of, from") + rogō ("ask; request").

Full definition of supererogatory

Adjective

1. Pertaining to supererogation; doing more than is required, especially with reference to good works in Roman Catholicism
• 1988, Anthony Burgess, Any Old Iron‘In now you come,’ she ordered, ‘and we make love.’ That seemed supererogatory to David Jones, who, under the gaze of the painted deer, got in there and did as he was told.
• 2002,David Heyd: Stanford Encyclopedia of PhilosophyIt is, for example, not clear whether “love thy enemy” is a precept or a supererogatory counsel.

Derived terms

• supererogatorily

Related terms

• supererogate
• supererogation