supernumeraries
Nonspeaking crowd members
Supernumeraries are people or things beyond the required or usual number—extras.
In theater and film, supernumeraries are nonspeaking extras who fill out crowd scenes: The opera employed dozens of supernumeraries for the battle sequence.
The term applies to any surplus personnel or redundant positions: Budget cuts eliminated the supernumeraries from the department.
Small nonspeaking role
- spear-carrierNon-speaking theatrical performer
- extraAdditional, beyond necessary
- nonspeakingNot using oral language
- fill-inTemporary substitute person
Amount exceeding requirement
- excessSurplus beyond need
- superfluousExceeding what suffices
- unnecessaryNot essential or required
- unneededNot required at all
dispensable · expendable · spare · leftover · overflow · overage · overmanning · overstaffing
Paid position requiring nothing
- functionaryMinor administrative worker
- placeholderTemporary position marker
- nominalIn designation only
- honoraryGiven as distinction
walk-on
Small nonspeaking role
- spear-carrierNon-speaking theatrical performer
- extraAdditional, beyond necessary
- nonspeakingNot using oral language
surplus
Amount exceeding requirement
- excessSurplus beyond need
- superfluousExceeding what suffices
- unnecessaryNot essential or required
unneeded · dispensable · expendable · spare · leftover · overflow · overage · overmanning · overstaffing
sinecure
Paid position requiring nothing
- functionaryMinor administrative worker
- placeholderTemporary position marker
- nominalIn designation only
- opera choruschoristers, vocal ensemble, sopranos, altos, tenors
- opera fansseason ticket holders
supernumerariesleads
Goes in front
principals · stars · protagonists · headliners · main characters
supernumerariesessential personnel
Staff too vital to furlough
key players · permanent staff · regulars · fixtures · mainstays
number, numerous, extras, numeral, numerical, enumerate, innumerable, numerator, supernumerary