supernumerary

¹su·per·nu·mer·ary

adjective \ˌsü-pər-ˈnü-mə-ˌrer-ē, -ˈnyü-, -mə-rē; -ˈn(y)üm-rē\

Definition of SUPERNUMERARY

1

a : exceeding the usual, stated, or prescribed number <a supernumerary tooth>

b : not enumerated among the regular components of a group and especially of a military organization

2

: exceeding what is necessary, required, or desired

3

: more numerous

Examples of SUPERNUMERARY

1. <a third, supernumerary witness to the signing of the will>

Origin of SUPERNUMERARY

Late Latin supernumerarius, from Latin super- + numerus number

First Known Use: 1605

Related to SUPERNUMERARY

Synonyms

excess, extra, redundant, supererogatory, superfluous, spare, surplus

Related Words

accessory, additional, supplemental, supplementary; de trop, dispensable, extraneous, gratuitous, needless, nonessential, uncalled-for, unessential, unnecessary, unneeded, unwanted; abundant, ample, bountiful, copious, plenteous, plentiful

Near Antonyms

deficient, inadequate, insufficient, meager (or meagre), niggardly, poor, scant, scanty, scarce, short, shortish, skimpy, sparse

Other Military Terms

bivouac, logistics, petard, salient, sally, tactical

Rhymes with SUPERNUMERARY

beneficiary, devolutionary, eleemosynary, evidentiary, evolutionary, extraliterary, insurrectionary, intermediary, paramilitary, penitentiary, quatercentenary, revolutionary, sesquicentenary, valetudinary

²supernumerary

noun

plural supernumerar·ies

Definition of SUPERNUMERARY

1

: a supernumerary person or thing

2

: an actor employed to play a walk-on

First Known Use of SUPERNUMERARY

1639

Other Performing Arts Terms

diva, dramaturgy, loge, prestidigitation, proscenium, zany

su·per·nu·mer·ary

adjective \ˌsü-pər-ˈn(y)ü-mə-ˌrer-ē, -ˈn(y)üm-(ə-)rē\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of SUPERNUMERARY

: exceeding the usual or normal number <supernumerary teeth> <a supernumerary rib>