Transcendentalism

Pronunciation: /trænˌsɛnˈdɛntəˌlɪzəm/

Definitions of transcendentalism

noun a philosophical and literary movement that emphasized living a simple life in harmony with nature and the importance of individual intuition and conscience

Example Sentences

A1 I heard about transcendentalism in my English class.

A2 Transcendentalism is a philosophical movement that emphasizes individual intuition.

B1 Many American writers in the 19th century were influenced by transcendentalism.

B2 Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau are key figures in the transcendentalism movement.

C1 Transcendentalism encourages people to connect with nature and their inner selves.

C2 The concept of self-reliance is central to transcendentalism.

Examples of transcendentalism in a Sentence

formal Transcendentalism was a philosophical movement in the early 19th century that emphasized the importance of intuition and individualism.

informal I learned about transcendentalism in my American literature class and found it really interesting.

slang Some people think transcendentalism is just a bunch of hippie nonsense, but I think there's some truth to it.

figurative The author's writing style can be described as transcendentalism, as it often explores deep philosophical themes.

Grammatical Forms of transcendentalism

• plural: transcendentalisms
• comparative: more transcendental
• superlative: most transcendental
• present tense: transcendentalism
• future tense: will transcendentalism
• perfect tense: has transcended
• continuous tense: is transcending
• singular: transcendentalism
• positive degree: transcendental
• infinitive: to transcendentalize
• gerund: transcendentalizing
• participle: transcendentalized

Origin and Evolution of transcendentalism

First Known Use: 1836 year

Language of Origin: Latin

Story behind the word: The term 'transcendentalism' originated from the Latin word 'transcendere' meaning to climb over or beyond. It was later adapted by German philosopher Immanuel Kant in the 18th century to refer to the idea of transcending experience and reason to reach a higher understanding of reality.

Evolution of the word: The term 'transcendentalism' was first used in the United States in the 1830s to describe a philosophical and literary movement led by thinkers such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. Over time, the term has come to encompass a broader range of ideas related to individualism, self-reliance, and the spiritual connection to nature.