transcendental

CEFRC1

/ˌtɹæn(t)s(ɛ)nˈdɛntl̩/

adjective · noun

Türkçe translations

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In plain English

  1. 01

    adjective

    Beyond ordinary physical experience or understanding.

  2. 02

    adjective

    Extra detail

    In the philosophy of Aristotle (384–322 B.C.E.): synonym of transcendent (“transcending or extending beyond a single category”); also, synonym of metaphysical (“of or relating to the basic structure of reality”).

Examples

  • The best-known transcendental numbers are π and e.

  • Pi is a transcendental number.

At a glance

Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
2
Citations
5
Synonyms
4

Also pronounced

  • [-ɾl̩]
  • [-zɛn-]

Deep Dive

adjective

Extra meanings

  1. Synonym of transcendent (“surpassing usual limits; excelling; extraordinary”).

  2. In the philosophy of Immanuel Kant (1724–1804) or similar philosophies: concerned with the a priori or intuitive basis of knowledge, independent of experience.

noun

Extra meaning

  1. A transcendentalist.

More examples

In context

  • The numbers e and #92;pi are transcendental—written as decimals, the numbers after the decimal point continue infinitely and do not enter a permanently repeating pattern.

  • All theſe conſiderations hovvever vvere belovv the tranſcendental dignity of the Revolution Society.

  • [T]he Deity himſelf, tho' he perceiveth neither Pleaſure, nor Pain, nor any thing elſe, as vve do: yet muſt needs have a Perfect and Tranſcendental Perception, both of Pleaſure, and Pain, and of all other things.

Synonyms

Antonyms

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Origin

adjective

The adjective is a learned borrowing from Medieval Latin transcendentālis + English -al (suffix meaning of or relating to forming adjectives; and forming nouns, especially of verbal action). Transcendentālis is derived from Latin trānscendentem + ‑ālis (suffix forming adjectives of relationship); and trānscendentem is the accusative singular form of trānscendēns (“exceeding, surpassing, transcending”), the present active participle of trānscendō (“to climb, cross, pass, or step over; to exceed, surpass, transcend”), from trāns- (prefix meaning ‘across; beyond; through’) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *terh₂- (“to cross over; to overcome; to pass through”)) + scandō (“to ascend, climb;...