Sinecure
/ˈsɪn.ɪ.kjʊər/noun
A paid position requiring little or no work.
Did you know?Sinecure comes from a church office held sine cura animarum, “without care of souls,” meaning the holder got the income but not the spiritual burden.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
sine cura
“without care”
Medieval Latin
Latin
sine cura animarum
“without care of souls; a church benefice requiring no pastoral duty”
17th Century
English
sinecure
“a church office or benefice with little or no responsibility”
18th Century
English
sinecure
“an office or position with income but little work”
Modern English
English
sinecure
“a paid position requiring little or no work”