adj.
Pronunciation: -d ə nt
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin transcendent-, transcendens, present participle of transcendere
Date: 15th century
1 a : exceeding usual limits : SURPASSING b : extending or lying beyond the limits of ordinary experience c in Kantian philosophy : being beyond the limits of all possible experience and knowledge
2 : being beyond comprehension
3 : transcending the universe or material existence ― compare IMMANENT 2
4 : universally applicable or significant <the antislavery movement ⋯ recognized the transcendent importance of liberty ― L. H. Tribe>
– tran · scen · dent · ly adverb