SUPERNU'MERARY, adjective [Latin super and numerus, number.] 1. Exceeding the number stated or prescribed; as a supernumerary officer in a regiment; a supernumerary canon in the church. 2. Exceeding a necessary, a usual or a round number; as supernumerary addresses; supernumerary expense. SUPERNU'MERARY, noun A person or thing beyond the number stated, or beyond what is necessary or usual. On the reduction of the regiments, several supernumeraries were to be provided for.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI