supernumerary

American  

[soo-per-noo-muh-rer-ee, -nyoo-] / ˌsu pərˈnu məˌrɛr i, -ˈnyu- /

adjective

1. being in excess of the usual, proper, or prescribed number; additional; extra.

2. associated with a regular body or staff as an assistant or substitute in case of necessity.

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noun

plural

supernumeraries

1. a supernumerary or extra person or thing.

2. a supernumerary official or employee.

3. a person who appears in a play or film without speaking lines or as part of a crowd; walk-on; extra.

supernumerary British  

/ -ˈnjuːmrərɪ, ˌsuːpəˈnjuːmərərɪ /

adjective

1. exceeding a regular or proper number; extra

2. functioning as a substitute or assistant with regard to a regular body or staff

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noun

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

2. a person who functions as a substitute or assistant

3. an actor who has no lines, esp a nonprofessional one

Etymology

Origin of supernumerary

From the Late Latin word supernumerārius, dating back to 1595–1605. See super-, numerary