Supernumerary

Quick meaning: Supernumerary is a noun meaning A person who works in a group, association, or public office without forming part of the regular staff (the numerary).

Meaning

A person who works in a group, association, or public office without forming part of the regular staff (the numerary).

More Meanings

1. (film, theater) An extra or walk-on, often non-speaking, in a film or play; a spear carrier.
2. Something which is beyond the prescribed or standard amount or number.
3. (zoology) An animal which has not formed a pair bond and is therefore single.
4. (Roman Catholicism) A married man or woman who is a secular member of Opus Dei, a Roman Catholic religious institution.
5. Greater in number than.
6. Beyond the prescribed or standard amount or number; excess, extra.
7. Beyond what is necessary; redundant.

Example Sentences

The judge was a supernumerary, helping the regular judges whenever there was a surplus amount of work.

[A] minor actor or supernumerary often has a better opportunity to watch great actors than the great actors themselves.

Hospital Staff.—To be Assistant Surgeons to the Forces. – Assistant Surgeons Angus John Mackay, Supernumerary in the 1st Foot; Albert Hawkins, Supernumerary in the 4th Foot; […]

On each side the glass hung one of the large engravings; another over the secretary, facing the window, and the fourth, which for some time seemed a supernumerary, over the door.

Word Forms

• supernumeraries

Synonyms for supernumerary

Depending on context, synonyms include supe, super, epactal, superfluous, unnecessary, unwanted.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include extra, surplus, supererogatory, redundant, excess, superfluous.

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