Crossword Genius

Number that's in excess (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ninety

This clue could be a double definition.

'number' is the first definition.
(ninety is a kind of whole number)

'in excess' is the second definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?

'that's' is the link.

(Other definitions for ninety that I've seen before include "Four score and ten" , "Joe perhaps" , "Fourscore and ten" , "quite an age" , "Minutes played in a football match" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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