Supernumerary

Su`per*nu"mer*a*ry (?), a. [L. supernumerarius: cf. OF. supernuméraire, F. surnuméraire. See Super-, and Numerary, Number.] 1. Exceeding the number stated or prescribed; as, a supernumerary officer in a regiment.

2. Exceeding a necessary, usual, or required number or quality; superfluous; as, supernumerary addresses; supernumerary expense. Addison.

Su`per*nu"mer*a*ry, n.; pl. Supernumeraries (?). 1. A person or thing beyond the number stated.

2. A person or thing beyond what is necessary or usual; especially, a person employed not for regular service, but only to fill the place of another in case of need; specifically, in theaters, a person who is not a regular actor, but is employed to appear in a stage spectacle.