SUPERNUMERARY


Meaning of SUPERNUMERARY in English

[ ˌsu:pə'nju:m(ə)r(ə)ri ]

■ adjective

1》 present in excess of the normal or requisite number.

2》 not belonging to a regular staff but engaged for extra work.

↘(of an actor) appearing on stage but not speaking.

■ noun ( plural supernumeraries ) a ~ person or thing.

Origin

C17: from late L. supernumerarius '(soldier) added to a legion after it is complete'.

Concise Oxford English vocab.      Сжатый оксфордский словарь английского языка.