Other

supernumerary

Pronunciation: /ˌsuːpəˈnjuːm(ə)r(ə)ri, ˌsjuː-/

Definition of supernumerary

adjective

present in excess of the normal or requisite number, in particular:
(of a person) not belonging to a regular staff but engaged for extra work.
not wanted or needed; redundant:books were obviously supernumerary, and he began jettisoning them
(of an actor) appearing on stage but not speaking.
Botany & Zoology denoting a structure or organ occurring in addition to the normal ones:a pair of supernumerary teats

noun (plural supernumeraries)

a supernumerary person or thing: as a supernumerary he was given a variety of jobs

Origin:

early 17th century: from late Latin supernumerarius '(soldier) added to a legion after it is complete', from Latin super numerum 'beyond the number'

supernumerary in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of supernumerary in the US English dictionary

Nearby words

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