English edit

Etymology edit

From super- +‎ numerous.

Adjective edit

supernumerous (comparative more supernumerous, superlative most supernumerous)

  1. Being one of too many; redundant.
    • a. 1662 (date written), Thomas Fuller, “Northampton-shire”, in The History of the Worthies of England, London: [] J[ohn] G[rismond,] W[illiam] L[eybourne] and W[illiam] G[odbid], published 1662, →OCLC, page 298:
      Some vvill vvonder, that Empſon and Dudley (the Royal Promoters then in prime) did not catch him [Nicholas Vaux, 1st Baron Vaux of Harrowden] by the Collar, or pick an hole in his Govvn, upon the breach of ſome ruſty ſumptuary Statute; the rather, becauſe lately the Earl of Oxford vvas heavily fined for ſupernumerous attendance.