SUPERNUMERARY


Meaning of SUPERNUMERARY in English

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

Etymology: Late Latin supernumerarius, from Latin super- + numerus number

Date: 1605

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

II. noun

( plural -ar·ies )

Date: 1639

1. : a supernumerary person or thing

2. : an actor employed to play a walk-on

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.