supernumerary

[ soo-per-noo-muh-rer-ee, -nyoo- ]

/ ˌsu pərˈnu məˌrɛr i, -ˈnyu- /

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See synonyms for: supernumerary / supernumeraries on Thesaurus.com

adjective

being in excess of the usual, proper, or prescribed number; additional; extra.

associated with a regular body or staff as an assistant or substitute in case of necessity.

noun, plural su·per·nu·mer·ar·ies.

a supernumerary or extra person or thing.

a supernumerary official or employee.

a person who appears in a play or film without speaking lines or as part of a crowd; walk-on; extra.

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Origin of supernumerary

From the Late Latin word supernumerārius, dating back to 1595–1605. See super-, numerary

Words nearby supernumerary

supernaturality, supernaturalize, supernormal, supernova, supernova remnant, supernumerary, supernurse, supernutrient, superolateral, superorder, superordinate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use supernumerary in a sentence

I blame the fact that she is a longtime member of an organization within her Christian church, a significant financial contributor, and a supernumerary.
Ask Amy: Friend favors exclusive group over friendships|Amy Dickinson|November 29, 2020|Washington Post
Repeat the name twice very distinctly to him, and see there is no mistake about third or supernumerary or private.
The False Chevalier|William Douw Lighthall
The exempts to be supernumerary, having a small allowance, and maintained in the college till preferment offer.
An Essay upon Projects|Daniel Defoe
Au reste, I am careful for nothing; I am a sort of supernumerary spoon, and there will be no damage to the set if I am lost.
George Eliot's Life, Vol. I (of 3)|George Eliot

We have to add small supernumerary words to bring back the original power.
Instigations|Ezra Pound
The short or supernumerary line of non-commissioned officers on our right stood motionless as a row of statues.
The Adventures of Harry Revel|Sir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch

British Dictionary definitions for supernumerary

supernumerary

/ (ˌsuːpəˈnjuːmərərɪ, -ˈnjuːmrərɪ) /

adjective

exceeding a regular or proper number; extra

functioning as a substitute or assistant with regard to a regular body or staff

noun plural -aries

a person or thing that exceeds the normal, required, or regular number

a person who functions as a substitute or assistant

an actor who has no lines, esp a nonprofessional one

Word Origin for supernumerary

C17: from Late Latin supernumerārius, from Latin super- + numerus number

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for supernumerary

supernumerary

[ sōō′pər-nōō′mə-rĕr′ē ]

adj.

Exceeding the normal or usual number; extra.

supernumerary

Origin of supernumerary

Words nearby supernumerary

Words related to supernumerary

How to use supernumerary in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for supernumerary

Word Origin for supernumerary

Medical definitions for supernumerary