Supernumerary \Su`per*nu"mer*a*ry\, n.; pl. Supernumeraries.

1. A person or thing beyond the number stated. [1913 Webster]

2. A person or thing beyond what is necessary or usual; especially, a person employed not for regular service, but only to fill the place of another in case of need; specifically, in theaters, a person who is not a regular actor, but is employed to appear in a stage spectacle. [1913 Webster]

Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
 

Supernumerary \Su`per*nu"mer*a*ry\, a. [L. supernumerarius: cf. OF. supernum['e]raire, F. surnum['e]raire. See Super-, and Numerary, Number.]

1. Exceeding the number stated or prescribed; as, a supernumerary officer in a regiment. [1913 Webster]

2. Exceeding a necessary, usual, or required number or quality; superfluous; as, supernumerary addresses; supernumerary expense. --Addison. [1913 Webster]

Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
 

supernumerary adj : more than is needed, desired, or required; "trying to lose excess weight"; "found some extra change lying on the dresser"; "yet another book on heraldry might be thought redundant"; "skills made redundant by technological advance"; "sleeping in the spare room"; "supernumerary ornamentation"; "it was supererogatory of her to gloat"; "delete superfluous (or unnecessary) words"; "extra ribs as well as other supernumerary internal parts"; "surplus cheese distributed to the needy" [syn: excess, extra, redundant, spare, supererogatory, superfluous, surplus]

noun

a minor actor in crowd scenes [syn: spear carrier, extra]

Source: WordNet (r) 2.0
 

Supernumerary \Su`per*nu"mer*a*ry\, a. [L. supernumerarius: cf. OF. supernum['e]raire, F. surnum['e]raire. See Super-, and Numerary, Number.]

1. Exceeding the number stated or prescribed; as, a supernumerary officer in a regiment.

2. Exceeding a necessary, usual, or required number or quality; superfluous; as, supernumerary addresses; supernumerary expense. --Addison.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Supernumerary \Su`per*nu"mer*a*ry\, n.; pl. Supernumeraries.

1. A person or thing beyond the number stated.

2. A person or thing beyond what is necessary or usual; especially, a person employed not for regular service, but only to fill the place of another in case of need; specifically, in theaters, a person who is not a regular actor, but is employed to appear in a stage spectacle.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)