Literary notes about supernumerary (AI summary)
In literature, "supernumerary" is employed in a variety of contexts to signify an element considered extra or beyond the normal complement. In medical and anatomical discussions, it appears frequently to describe additional physical features, such as teeth or digits—whether referring to supernumerary incisors that crowd the dental arch [1] or extra limbs and digits highlighted in both scientific and narrative accounts [2][3]. At the same time, the term is applied in military or administrative settings to denote members who are not part of the core roster, as seen when referring to extra officers, clerks, or crew members who hold a peripheral status [4][5]. In the realm of literature and drama, characters described as supernumerary often function as minor or background figures, underscoring their role as supplementary rather than central to the action [6][7]. Thus, across various disciplines and narrative styles, the word yields a nuanced meaning of being surplus or additional to the primary group or function.