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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Exceeding a necessary, usual, or required number or quality; superfluous; as, supernumerary addresses; supernumerary expense. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Supernumeraries 1. A person or thing beyond the number stated. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]