supernumerary Hear it!

supernumerary definition

su·per·nu·mer·ary (-no̵̅o̅′mə rer′ē, -nyo̵̅o̅′-)

adjective

  1. that exceeds or is beyond the regular or prescribed number; extra
  2. that is beyond the number or quantity needed or desired; superfluous

Etymology: LL supernumerarius < L super, above (see super-) + numerus, number

noun pl. supernumeraries -·ar′·ies

  1. a supernumerary person or thing
  2. Theater a person with a small, nonspeaking part, as in a mob scene

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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