Also 6 superogacyon, -ation, 6–8 supererrogation. [ad. late L. superērogātio, n. of action f. superērogāre: see prec. Cf. obs. F. supererogation (mod.F. surérogation), It. supererogazione (in Florio, soprarogatione, superarogatione), etc.] The action (or an act) of ‘supererogating’ (SUPEREROGATE v. 2); chiefly in phr. work(s of supererogation.
1. a. R. C. Theol. The performance of good works beyond what God commands or requires, which are held to constitute a store of merit which the Church may dispense to others to make up for their deficiencies.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 58 b. Not onely where thou oughtest so to do of duty, but also of deuoute perfeccyon & superogacyon [sic: cf. OF. superrogacion].
1553. Articles agreed on by Bishoppes, 1552, xiii. Voluntarie woorkes besides, ouer, and aboue Goddes commaundementes, whiche thei cal woorkes of Supererogation, cannot be taught without arrogancie, and iniquitie.
1583. Babington, Commandm. (1590), 68. I haue no merites or good workes to come before Thee with-all, much lesse am I able to doo workes of supererogation.
1612. T. Taylor, Comm. Titus i. 4 (1619), 57. All that Popish doctrine concerning workes of preparation and disposition before grace: and of merit and supererogation after.
1645. Milton, Tetrach., I. Wks. 1851, IV. 252. The fear is, least this not being a command, would prove an evangelic counsel, and so make way for supererogations.
1650. Fuller, Pisgah, 415. Some will say, this was but a ceremonious supererogation of Maccabeus, in making such an ordinance.
1874. H. R. Reynolds, John Bapt., V. § 2. 317. The Roman Catholic commentators have generally recognized in the Baptism of Christ by John a part of His work of supererogation.
attrib. 1738. Oxf. Methodists, 8. They observe strictly the Fasts of the Church; and this has given occasion to such as do not approve of them, abusively to call them supererogation men.
b. transf. and gen. Performance of more than duty or circumstances require; doing more than is needed.
1592. Nashe, Strange Newes, A 4 b. The strong fayth you haue conceiu’d, that I would do workes of supererrogation in answering the Doctor.
1599. B. Jonson, Cynthia’s Rev., II. i. Then thou hast not altered thy name, with thy disguise?—O, no, that had beene supererogation.
1612. Woodall, Surg. Mate, Wks. (1653), 408. Let not the younger Artist presume, in a work of supererogation … to be too busie.
1643. Drumm. of Hawth., Decl. agst. Gross Petition, Wks. (1711), 210. Such is the Supererogation of some of the Petitioners, above what His Majesty requires.
1710. Steele, Tatler, No. 54, ¶ 6. An Act of so great Supererogation, as singing without a Voice.
1756. H. Walpole, Lett. to Conway, 24 Jan. I was prepared to be very grateful if you had done just what I desired; but I declare I have no thanks ready for a work of supererogation.
1796. Mme. D’Arblay, Camilla, IX. viii. Reason might have shown this a tie of supererogation.
1870. Spurgeon, Treas. Dav., Ps. xlii. 3. It was a supererogation of malice to pump more tears from a heart which already overflowed.
1876. Bartholow, Mat. Med. (1879), 149. It may appear to be a work of supererogation to notice the popular fallacy that quinia … remains combined with the textures of the body.
† 2. See quots. and cf. SUPEREROGATE 1. Obs. rare–0.
1604. R. Cawdrey, Table Alph., Supererogation, giuing more then is required.
1616. Bullokar, Expos., Supererogation, laying out of more then one hath receiued.
