supererogatory
soo-per-ih-ROG-uh-tor-ee
/ˌsuːpərɪˈrɒɡətəri/
Performed beyond the required standard or duty; going above and beyond moral obligation.
Refers to acts that are praiseworthy to perform, but not blameworthy to omit.
The story behind the word. Originating in Late Latin from the Vulgate Bible (Luke 10:35, the Good Samaritan story: 'quodcumque supererogaveris' - 'whatever extra you spend'), it referred to paying out money beyond what was requested. Catholic theology adopted it to describe saintly good works exceeding minimum religious duties.
Word relationships
- exceeding duty: Descriptive phrase for actions performed past obligation.
- mandatory: Mandatory actions are strictly required by rule or obligation.
Commonly confused with
- superfluous: Superfluous means unnecessary or wasteful, while supererogatory means praiseworthy beyond required duty.
Word family
- supererogation (noun): The act of performing more than duty requires
Collocations
- supererogatory act
- supererogatory duty
- deemed supererogatory
Example sentences
- "Throwing oneself onto a live grenade to save comrades is considered a supererogatory act of extraordinary bravery rather than a strict duty." Ethics treatise
- "Classical utilitarianism struggles to account for supererogatory actions because it demands maximum self-sacrifice as standard duty." Moral theory discussion
Memory hook
SUPER + EROGATORY = SUPER EXTRA good beyond what is asked of you. Super extra good beyond duty.
When not to use
Do not use to mean unnecessary or redundant in a negative sense; in ethics, it strictly describes commendable extra duty.
Fun facts
- In medieval theology, extra merit from supererogatory acts of saints accumulated in the 'Treasury of Merit', which could be drawn upon for indulgences.
Related words
Explore more words
duty, courtesy, complimentary, surpass, obligation, supplementary
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