supernumerary

su·per·nu·mer·ar·y  (spr-nm-rr, -ny-)

adj.

1. Exceeding a fixed, prescribed, or standard number; extra.

2. Exceeding the required or desired number or amount; superfluous. See Synonyms at superfluous.

n. pl. su·per·nu·mer·ar·ies

1. One that is in excess of the regular, necessary, or usual number.

2. An actor without a speaking part, as one who appears in a crowd scene.

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[Latin supernumerrius : super, above; see super- + numerum, accusative of numerus, number; see nem- in Indo-European roots.]

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supernumerary

Adjective

1. exceeding the required or regular number; extra

2. employed as a substitute or assistant

Noun

pl -aries

1. a person or thing that exceeds the required or regular number

2. a substitute or assistant

3. an actor who has no lines to say [Latin super- above + numerus number]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	supernumerary - a person serving no apparent function; "reducing staff is difficult because our employees include no supernumeraries" individual, mortal, person, somebody, someone, soul - a human being; "there was too much for one person to do"
	2.	supernumerary - a minor actor in crowd scenes extra, spear carrier actor, histrion, thespian, role player, player - a theatrical performer
Adj.	1.	supernumerary - more than is needed, desired, or required; "trying to lose excess weight"; "found some extra change lying on the dresser"; "yet another book on heraldry might be thought redundant"; "skills made redundant by technological advance"; "sleeping in the spare room"; "supernumerary ornamentation"; "it was supererogatory of her to gloat"; "delete superfluous (or unnecessary) words"; "extra ribs as well as other supernumerary internal parts"; "surplus cheese distributed to the needy" excess, extra, redundant, supererogatory, surplus, superfluous, spare unnecessary, unneeded - not necessary