Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Transcendental Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

🌌
Add to dictionary

transcendental

[ˌtræn.sɛnˈdɛn.təl ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

philosophy

Relating to a spiritual or nonphysical realm; beyond the material world.

Synonyms

metaphysical, spiritual, supernatural.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
transcendental

Used to describe something that goes beyond ordinary experience or scientific understanding. Often associated with philosophy or higher levels of thinking.

  • The philosopher's theories were deeply transcendental, exploring the nature of existence itself.
  • Listening to that piece of music had a transcendental effect on her, lifting her spirits beyond the mundane reality.
spiritual

Often used in religious or personal growth contexts to describe something related to the soul, spirit, or a higher power. Can also refer to inner peace and personal enlightenment.

  • She described her journey through the mountains as a deeply spiritual experience.
  • Many people turn to spiritual practices, like meditation or prayer, to find inner peace.
metaphysical

Commonly used in discussions of philosophy and is related to questions of existence, reality, and the nature of being, beyond the physical world.

  • The novel delves into metaphysical questions about the existence of the soul and the meaning of life.
  • His interest in metaphysical poetry led him to study the works of John Donne.
supernatural

Refers to phenomena or entities that are beyond the laws of nature and physical explanation, often used in the context of ghost stories, folklore, or unexplained events.

  • The old mansion was said to be haunted by supernatural forces.
  • Movies about vampires and werewolves often explore supernatural themes.

Examples of usage

  • The concept of transcendental meditation focuses on connecting with a higher spiritual plane.
  • Transcendental experiences are often described as a sense of unity with the universe.
Context #2 | Adjective

mathematics

Relating to a number that is not the root of any algebraic equation with rational coefficients.

Synonyms

irrational, non-algebraic.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
transcendental

Situations related to abstract, spiritual, or non-physical concepts that go beyond ordinary experience. It is also used in mathematics to describe numbers that are not the root of any non-zero polynomial equation with rational coefficients.

  • The artist's work had a transcendental quality that captivated everyone.
  • Pi is an example of a transcendental number.
irrational

Used to describe something that lacks reason or logic, often carrying a negative connotation. In mathematics, it refers to numbers that cannot be expressed as a simple fraction.

  • Her fear of spiders seemed completely irrational.
  • The square root of 2 is an irrational number.
non-algebraic

Typically used in mathematics to refer to numbers that cannot be the solution to any polynomial equation with rational coefficients, synonymous with transcendental.

  • Pi and e are examples of non-algebraic numbers.

Examples of usage

  • The square root of 2 is a transcendental number.
  • Transcendental functions like sine and cosine are fundamental in mathematics.
Context #3 | Noun

philosophy

An idea that is beyond human experience or reason.

Synonyms

abstraction, concept, notion.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
transcendental

Best used in philosophical, spiritual, or metaphysical discussions to describe something beyond normal human experience or understanding.

  • The idea of a transcendental reality is often explored in Eastern philosophies.
  • Kant's theory of knowledge includes the notion of the transcendental ideal.
abstraction

Used when talking about the process of considering something independently of its associations, attributes, or concrete accompaniments. Often used in art and mathematics.

  • In mathematics, we use abstraction to simplify complex problems.
  • His paintings are famous for their high level of abstraction.
concept

Commonly used in everyday language to refer to an idea or a mental picture of a group or category of objects formed as a result of experience. Utilized often in academic and professional settings.

  • The concept of time management is crucial for productivity.
  • She introduced the new marketing concept at the meeting.
notion

Used to refer to a belief or idea, often vague or not fully developed. It can sometimes carry a slight degree of skepticism or dismissal.

  • He had the notion that everything would be fine without any effort.
  • The notion of equal distribution of wealth is appealing to many.

Examples of usage

  • Kant's philosophy delves into the realms of the transcendental and the empirical.
  • The concept of beauty as a transcendental is explored in art and aesthetics.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Philosophy

  • In philosophy, it refers to things that are outside our usual experience and perception, often linked to ideas about existence.
  • Kant used the term to describe knowledge that goes beyond the experience of the senses, pondering how we can understand concepts like time and space.

Literature

  • Transcendentalism was a 19th-century American philosophical movement that emphasized nature and individual intuition, with key figures like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau.
  • Thoreau's book 'Walden' embodies transcendentalist principles by exploring nature and self-reliance.

Mathematics

  • In mathematics, transcendental numbers are those that are not the roots of any non-zero polynomial equation with rational coefficients, such as Ï€ and e.
  • This makes them 'transcend' algebraic numbers, emphasizing a higher level of complexity.

Psychology

  • In psychology, transcendental experiences can refer to moments of profound insight or altered states of consciousness, often linked to spirituality or personal growth.
  • They may evoke feelings of unity, connectedness, and a sense of being part of something greater than oneself.

Origin of 'transcendental'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'transcendentem', meaning 'to climb over' or 'to surpass'.
  • It combines 'trans-', which means 'beyond', with 'scandere', meaning 'to climb'.

The term 'transcendental' originated from the Latin word 'transcendere', meaning 'to climb over or beyond'. It was first used in the philosophical context by Immanuel Kant in the 18th century to refer to concepts or knowledge that are beyond empirical observation. The idea of the transcendental has since been explored in various fields such as philosophy, mathematics, and spirituality, highlighting the quest for understanding beyond the material or rational realms.

See also: transcend, transcendence, transcendency, transcendent.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #12,512, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.