Supernumerary Definition

so͝opər-no͝omə-rĕrē, -nyo͝o-
supernumeraries
adjective
That exceeds or is beyond the regular or prescribed number; extra.
Webster's New World
That is beyond the number or quantity needed or desired; superfluous.
Webster's New World

Greater in number than.

Wiktionary

Beyond what is necessary.

Wiktionary
noun
supernumeraries
A supernumerary person or thing.
Webster's New World
One that is in excess of the regular, necessary, or usual number.
American Heritage
A person with a small, nonspeaking part, as in a mob scene.
Webster's New World

A civil designation for somebody who works in a group, association or public office, without forming part of the regular staff; those distinguished from numerary. (For example, supernumerary judges are those who help the regular judges when there is a surplus amount of work.)

Wiktionary

An extra or walk-on in a film or play; spear-carrier.

Wiktionary
Synonyms:

Other Word Forms of Supernumerary

Noun

Singular:
supernumerary
Plural:
supernumeraries

Origin of Supernumerary

  • From the Late Latin supernumerarius (“excessively high in number"), from super (“above; beyond") + numerum, accusative of numerus (“number").

    From Wiktionary

  • Latin supernumerārius super above super– numerum accusative of numerus number nem- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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