(adj) more than is needed, desired, or required, Syn. supernumerary, redundant, extra, superfluous, supererogatory, surplus, spare, Example: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
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English (GCIDE) v.0.53 Collaborative International Dictionary (GCIDE)
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. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. Exceeding a necessary, usual, or required number or quality; superfluous; as, supernumerary addresses; supernumerary expense. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]
n.; pl.Supernumeraries1. 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 ]