A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Supernumerary, -ie, adj. Also: supernumerar, supernumerie. [e.m.E. supernumerarie (1605), -ye (1624), -y (1639), late L. supernumerārius.] More than is needed; extra to usual (statutory) requirements; additional. b. Supernumerary mariages, marriages where the number of guests was in excess of the numbers stipulated by the ‘Act restraining the exorbitant expence of Marriages Baptisms & Burials' (1681 Acts VIII 350/1). —a. 1617 Melrose P. 283.
The Lord Blantyre being now deceassed the senatours of your maiesties College of Justice haue sent heerwith thair most humble supplication to your maiestie to suppresse that supernumerar place 1669 Acts VII 552/1.
Forasmuch as in severall shyres … ther be some difference as to the legalitie of the election of thair commissioners … ther being double commissioners chosen in these places the lord commissioner nominat the Archbishop of St. Andrews [etc.] … to be … supernumerarie 1672 Acts VIII 88/1.
The Justice-Generall being allwayes super-numerary in anie of these circuit-courts 1679 Kirkcaldy B. Rec. MS 13 Oct.
Appoynts the persones following to be auditors of the last theserars for the toune & peir thar compts … the present theserar to be supernumerie 1684 Fountainhall Decis. I 258.
They resumed [the case] on the 17th January, and only by one vote supernumerary, they repelled the late magistrates defences 1689 Acts XII 57/2.
The meetting proceeded to give in each member his List of the Committy … and aggreed to that [sic] the president be supernumeraryb. 1702 Stitchill Baron Ct. 147.
For making of supernumerary mariages and intertaining mor persons therat than is allowed be the Act of Parliament
