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.