transcendental
UK: ˌtræn.senˈden.təl | US: ˌtræn.senˈden.t̬əl
adj. relating to a spiritual or nonphysical realm beyond ordinary human experience
adj. (philosophy) surpassing the limits of empirical knowledge; a priori
adj. (mathematics) referring to a number or function not expressible by algebraic operations
Derived from Latin transcendere ("to climb over, surpass"), combining trans- (across) and scandere (to climb). The term entered English via Medieval Latin transcendentalis, initially used in Scholastic philosophy to describe concepts beyond Aristotle’s categories. Later, Kant adapted it to denote knowledge independent of experience. The mathematical sense emerged in the 19th century for numbers like π that "transcend" algebraic equations.
The poet described nature as a gateway to transcendental beauty.
Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason explores transcendental idealism.
π is a transcendental number with infinite non-repeating digits.
Meditation aims to achieve a transcendental state of consciousness.
Emerson’s essays emphasize transcendental unity between humans and nature.