supernumerary
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.
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.
Origin of supernumerary
1Words Nearby supernumerary
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
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 PostRepeat the name twice very distinctly to him, and see there is no mistake about third or supernumerary or private.
The False Chevalier | William Douw LighthallThe exempts to be supernumerary, having a small allowance, and maintained in the college till preferment offer.
An Essay upon Projects | Daniel DefoeAu 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 EliotWe 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
/ (ˌsuːpəˈnjuːmərərɪ, -ˈnjuːmrərɪ) /
exceeding a regular or proper number; extra
functioning as a substitute or assistant with regard to a regular body or staff
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
Origin of supernumerary
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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