Word: transcendental Part of Speech: adj Etymology: 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; etc.”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *skend- (“to ascend; to jump up”)). The noun is derived from the adjective. Pronunciation: /ˌtɹæn(t)s(ɛ)nˈdɛntl̩/, /ˌtɹɑːn-/, [-zɛn-], /ˌtɹænˌ(t)sɛnˈdɛntl̩/, /-(t)s(ə)n-/ 1. Synonym of transcendent (“surpassing usual limits; excelling; extraordinary”). Example: [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. Example: All theſe conſiderations hovvever vvere belovv the tranſcendental dignity of the Revolution Society. 2. 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”). Example: Thoſe Particles are here ſtiled Tranſcendental, vvhich do circumſtantiate vvords in reſpect of ſome Metaphyſical notion; either by enlarging the acception of them to ſome more general ſignification, then doth belong to the reſtrained ſenſe of their places: or denoting a relation to ſome other Predicament or Genus, under vvhich they are not originally placed. Example: To be impenetrable, diſcerpible, and unactive, is the nature of all Body and Matter, as ſuch: And the properties of a Spirit are the direct contrary, to be penetrable, indiſcerpible, and ſelf-motive: Yea, ſo different they are in all things, that they ſeem to have nothing but Being, and the Tranſcendental Attributes of that, in common: […] 3. In the philosophy of Immanuel Kant (1724–1804) or similar philosophies: concerned with the a priori or intuitive basis of knowledge, independent of experience. Example: The chief mystics in Germany, it would appear, are the Transcendental Philosophers, [Immanuel] Kant, [Johann Gottlieb] Fichte, and [Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph] Schelling! Example: The best way to demonstrate the possibility of something is to show its actuality, for actuality implies possibility. At least since [Immanuel] Kant, transcendental philosophies have been on the scene. However, such simple demonstration of the possibility of transcendental philosophy has not been effective and is not likely to be so – so strong is the presumption that transcendental philosophy just could not be possible, or, if it was possible earlier, it is not possible now. 4. In the philosophy associated with Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882): of or relating to transcendentalism (“a philosophy which stresses intuition and spirituality”). Example: Two literary ladies present their compliments to the mother of the modern Gracchi, and claim her kind introduction, as their talented countrywoman, to the honourable (and distinguished) Elijah Pogram, […] It may be another bond of union between the two L.L.'s [literary ladies] and the mother of the M.G. [modern Gracchi] to observe, that the two L.L.'s are Transcendental. 5. Beyond one's ordinary experience; extraordinary. Labels: broadly Example: [S]ometimes it is even when your anxiety becomes transcendental, that the soul feels herself able to transcend it; that she rises above it, in fiery victory; and borne on new-found wings of victory, moves so calmly, even because so rapidly, so irresistibly. Example: This mental materialism makes the value of English transcendental genius; […] 6. Existing in the imagination; abstract, conceptual. Labels: broadly Example: [T]hese sprightly Frenchmen have relished the mystical doctrines mightily; and having watched the Germans, with their sanctified looks, and quaint imitations of the old times, and mysterious transcendental talk, are aping many of their fashions, as well and solemnly as they can; […] Example: If he made transcendental distinctions, he fortified himself by drawing all his illustrations from sources disdained by orators and polite conversers; from mares and puppies; from pitchers and soup-ladles; from cooks and criers; the shops of potters, horse-doctors, butchers, and fishmongers. 7. Mystical, superhuman, supernatural. Labels: broadly Example: Everard pursued his investigation; for he was struck with the manner in which Harrison evaded his questions, and the dexterity with which he threw his transcendental and fanatical notions, like a sort of veil, over the darker visions excited by remorse and conscious guilt. Example: And it chanced that the direction of my scientific studies, which led wholly towards the mystic and the transcendental, rëacted and shed a strong light on this consciousness of the perennial war among my members. 8. Of an element of an extension field: not algebraic, that is, not the root of any polynomial that has positive degree and rational coefficients; also, of an extension field: that contains elements which are not algebraic. Example: Suppose that Flt;E is purely transcendental. Show that any simple extension of F contained in E (but not equal to F) is transcendental over F. 9. Of a function or number: not algebraic. Example: 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. Example: Tranſcendental Curves, (in Mathem[atics]) are ſuch Curves, as vvhen their Nature or Property comes to be expreſs'd by an Equation, one of the variable or flovving Quantities there, denotes a Curve or crooked Line; and vvhen ſuch Curve Line is a Geometrick one, or one of the firſt Degree or Kind, then the Tranſcendental Curve is ſaid To be of the Second Degree or Kind, &c.