adj

transcendental

transn-DEHNTL

adj

Relating to ideas or knowledge that go beyond ordinary experience, especially in philosophy.

"Kant's transcendental philosophy explores how the mind shapes experience."

"The lecture covered transcendental themes in 19th-century thought."

(mathematics) Describing a number that is not the root of any polynomial with rational coefficients, such as pi.

"Pi and e are both transcendental numbers."

How to Use Transcendental

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishRelating to ideas beyond everyday experience, or (in maths) a number that can't be a root of a rational polynomial equation.

Common mistake

Don't mix up with "transcendent," which describes something extraordinary rather than a specific philosophical or mathematical category.

Easily confused with

transcendent →

more transcendental comparative, transcendentals plural, most transcendental superlative

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Kant's _____ philosophy explores how the mind shapes experience.

A learned borrowing via Medieval Latin "transcendentalis," from Latin "transcendens" ("surpassing").

mental dental rental parental Oriental elemental accidental ornamental judgmental incidental monumental regimental