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Definition of Supernumerary
1. Adjective. More than is needed, desired, or required. "Surplus cheese distributed to the needy"
Similar to: Unnecessary, Unneeded
Derivative terms: Redundance, Redundancy, Redundancy, Redundancy, Redundancy, Superfluity
2. Noun. A person serving no apparent function. "Reducing staff is difficult because our employees include no supernumeraries"
3. Noun. A minor actor in crowd scenes.
Generic synonyms: Actor, Histrion, Player, Role Player, Thespian
Definition of Supernumerary
1. a. Exceeding the number stated or prescribed; as, a supernumerary officer in a regiment.
2. n. A person or thing beyond the number stated.
Definition of Supernumerary
1. Noun. A civil designation for somebody who works in a group, association or public office, without forming part of the regular staff; those distinguished from numerary. (For example, supernumerary judges are those who help the regular judges when there is a surplus amount of work.) ¹
2. Noun. An extra or walk-on in a film or play; spear-carrier. ¹
3. Adjective. Extra; beyond the standard or prescribed amount. ¹
4. Adjective. Greater in number than. ¹
5. Adjective. Beyond what is necessary. ¹
¹ Source: wiktionary.com
Definition of Supernumerary
1. [n -RIES]
Lexicographical Neighbors of Supernumerary
Literary usage of Supernumerary
Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:
1. The Principles and practice of dental surgery by Chapin Aaron Harris (1863)
"supernumerary TEETH. THE development of supernumerary teeth is usually ...
We have now in our anatomical collection, two supernumerary teeth that were ..."
2. The Principles and Practice of Dentistry: Including Anatomy, Physiology by Chapin Aaron Harris (1892)
"We have now in our anatomical collection two supernumerary teeth that were ...
The crowns of supernumerary teeth which appear in the anterior part of the ..."
3. Journal of Anatomy and Physiology by Anatomical Society of Great Britain and Ireland (1892)
"I HAVE on former occasions recorded the presence of single supernumerary teeth in
... 142, I described a supernumerary conical incisor, apparently mesial in ..."
4. The Science and art of surgery by John Eric Erichsen (1854)
"supernumerary nipples have likewise been found to occur; ... Most frequently the
supernumerary breast is situated somewhere in the neighborhood of the ..."
5. The Science and Art of Surgery: A Treatise on Surgical Injuries, Diseases by John Eric Erichsen (1885)
"supernumerary Nipples have ii- been found to occur; ... Most frequently the
supernumerary brea--' ' ' ated somewhere in the neighborhood of the normal gland ..."
6. Elements of Meteorology, with Questions for Examination, Designed for by John Brocklesby (1869)
"On the 5th of July, 1828, Dr. Brewster saw three supernumerary bows within the
... supernumerary Bows. Arches of prismatic colors are sometimes seen, ..."