supernumerary

[ soo-per-noo-muh-rer-ee, -nyoo- ]
/ ˌsu pərˈnu məˌrɛr i, -ˈnyu- /

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.

Origin of supernumerary

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

Example sentences from the Web for supernumerary

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

Medical definitions for supernumerary

supernumerary
[ sōō′pər-nōōmə-rĕr′ē ]

adj.

Exceeding the normal or usual number; extra.