parergon

[ pa-rur-gon ]

noun

, plural par·er·ga [pa-, rur, -g, uh].

1. something that is an accessory to a main work or subject; embellishment.
2. work undertaken in addition to one's principal work.

parergon

/ pəˈrɛəɡɒn /

noun

1. work that is not one's main employment

Word History and Origins

Origin of parergon¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; < Latin parergon “extra ornament,” from Greek párergon “secondary business, side job,” noun use of neuter of párergos “beside the main subject, subordinate,” equivalent to par- par- ¹( def ) + érg(on) work + -os adj. suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of parergon¹

C17: from Latin, from Greek, from para- ¹+ ergon work

Example Sentences

Parergon, pa-rėr′gon, n. a by-work, any work subsidiary to another.

From Project Gutenberg

Ei d toutous ektrapomenos exelenchoimi, meizon an moi to parergon tou ergou genoito.

From Project Gutenberg

Two lines on ploughing are quoted from ‘liber parergon,’ i., but it is not certain whether this is an independent work.

From Project Gutenberg

By 1595 the number of maps had increased to 119, including a Parergon or supplement of 12 maps illustrating ancient history.

From Project Gutenberg

Sometimes this making or doing was their profession; sometimes it was a parergon carried on deliciously in leisure hours.

From Project Gutenberg