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1

supernumerary

adjective su·per·nu·mer·ary \ 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

See supernumerary defined for kids

Examples of supernumerary in a Sentence

a third, supernumerary witness to the signing of the will

Did You Know?

Supernumerary starts off with the Latin prefix super-, "above". You may have heard of someone being born with supernumerary teeth, supernumerary fingers, or supernumerary toes. A supernumerary rainbow may show up as a faint line—red, green, or purple—just touching the main colored arc. Supernumerary is also a noun: A supernumerary is usually someone in a crowd scene onstage, otherwise known as an "extra" or a "spear-carrier".

Origin and Etymology of supernumerary

Late Latin supernumerarius, from Latin super- + numerus number

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1605

See Words from the same year

supernumerary Synonyms

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

2

supernumerary

noun

Definition of supernumerary

plural supernumeraries

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

Medical Dictionary

supernumerary

adjective su·per·nu·mer·ary \ ˌsü-pər-ˈn(y)ü-mə-ˌrer-ē, -ˈn(y)üm-(ə-)rē \

medical Definition of supernumerary

:exceeding the usual or normal number

supernumerary teeth

a supernumerary rib

Learn More about supernumerary

See words that rhyme with supernumerary Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for supernumerary

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Examples: supernumerary in a Sentence

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