1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Supererogation

SUPEREROGATION (Late Lat. supererogatio, payment beyond what is due or asked, from super, beyond, erogare, to pay out, expend, ex, out, rogare, to ask), the performance of more than is asked for, the action of doing more than duty requires. In the theology of the Roman Church, “works of supererogation” are those which are performed beyond what is required by God, thus forming a reserve store of works of merit which can be drawn upon for the dispensation of those whose works fall short of the standard required.