Supernumeraries

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Supernumerary \Su`per*nu"mer*a*ry\, 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]