supererogatory, a. (n.)
(ˌs(j)uːpərɪˈrɒgətərɪ, ˌs(j)uːpəˈrɛrəgətərɪ)
Also 7 -errogatory.
[ad. scholastic L. superērogātōrius, f. superērogāt-: see supererogate and -ory2. Cf. Sp. supererogatorio and F. surérogatoire.]
Characterized by, or having the nature of, supererogation; going beyond what is commanded or required; loosely, superfluous.
| 1593 G. Harvey Pierce's Super. 18 Were his penne as supererogatory a woorkeman as his harte. 1629 [see supererogative, quot. 1599]. 1640 Howell Dodona's Gr. (1645) 105 The supererogatory services, and too great benefits from subjects to kings are of dangerous consequence. a 1653 Gouge Comm. Heb. iv. 16 (1655) 468 The folly of those that trust to the supererrogatory works of others, as if any man were able to do more than he is bound to do. 1720 Welton Suffer. Son of God II. xv. 406 Too much taken with Supererogatory Fasts..rather than those which are commanded. 1740 Richardson Pamela (1824) I. 205 That you could take the faults of others upon yourself; and, by a supposed supererogatory merit, think your interposition sufficient to atone for the faults of others. 1820 Shelley Prometh. Unb. Pref., Nothing can be equally well expressed in prose that is not tedious and supererogatory in verse. 1860 Motley Netherl. xix. (1868) II. 484 It had now become supererogatory to ask for Alexander's word of honour. 1886 Punch 16 Jan. 28/2 Sending..spare books..and supererogatory newspapers to our Hospitals. |
b. n. A supererogatory act; a work of supererogation. nonce-use.
| 1748 Richardson Clarissa (1811) VIII. 347 Why may I not proceed in my supererogatories? 1749–50 ― Let. to Mrs. Belfour 9 Jan., No supererogatories do I allow of in marriage. |
Hence † ˌsupererogaˈtorian Obs. nonce-wd., one who believes in supererogation; ˌsupereˈrogatorily adv., in a supererogatory manner, beyond the requirements of the case, superfluously.
| 1753 Richardson Grandison (1754) I. vii. 32 With all your relations indeed, their Harriet cannot be in fault... Super⁓erogatorians all of them (I will make words whenever I please) with their attributions to you. 1838 New Monthly Mag. LII. 446 Many a dial..most supererogatorily informs us that ‘time flies’. a 1849 Poe Cooper Wks. 1864 III. 397 We are tautologically informed that improvement is a consequence of embellishment and supererogatorily told that the rule holds good only where the embellishment is not accompanied by destruction. |