SUPERNUMERARY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does supernumerary mean? 

• SUPERNUMERARY (noun)
  The noun SUPERNUMERARY has 2 senses:

1. a person serving no apparent function

2. a minor actor in crowd scenes

  Familiarity information: SUPERNUMERARY used as a noun is rare.

• SUPERNUMERARY (adjective)
  The adjective SUPERNUMERARY has 1 sense:

1. more than is needed, desired, or required

  Familiarity information: SUPERNUMERARY used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SUPERNUMERARY (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A person serving no apparent function

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Context example:

reducing staff is difficult because our employees include no supernumeraries

Hypernyms ("supernumerary" is a kind of...):

individual; mortal; person; somebody; someone; soul (a human being)

Derivation:

supernumerary (more than is needed, desired, or required)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A minor actor in crowd scenes

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

extra; spear carrier; supernumerary

Hypernyms ("supernumerary" is a kind of...):

actor; histrion; player; role player; thespian (a theatrical performer)

• SUPERNUMERARY (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

More than is needed, desired, or required

Synonyms:

excess; extra; redundant; spare; supererogatory; superfluous; supernumerary; surplus

Context example:

surplus cheese distributed to the needy

Similar:

unnecessary; unneeded (not necessary)

Derivation:

supernumerary (a person serving no apparent function)

 Context examples 

A fusion gene that results from a chromosomal translocation t(17;22)(q22;q13) and supernumerary ring chromosomes derived from t(17;22) which fuses the COL1A1 gene with exon 2 of the PDGFRB gene.

(COL1A1/PDGFB Fusion Gene, NCI Thesaurus)

It was only better than Mrs. Norris's sharp answers would have been; but she being gone home with all the supernumerary jellies to nurse a sick maid, there was peace and good-humour in their little party, though it could not boast much beside.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

My aunt had obtained a signal victory over Mrs. Crupp, by paying her off, throwing the first pitcher she planted on the stairs out of window, and protecting in person, up and down the staircase, a supernumerary whom she engaged from the outer world.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Mrs. Norris, most happy to assist in the duties of the day, by spending it at the Park to support her sister's spirits, and drinking the health of Mr. and Mrs. Rushworth in a supernumerary glass or two, was all joyous delight; for she had made the match; she had done everything; and no one would have supposed, from her confident triumph, that she had ever heard of conjugal infelicity in her life, or could have the smallest insight into the disposition of the niece who had been brought up under her eye.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)