adjective

transcendent

tran-SEN-dunt/trænˈsendənt/

Surpassing ordinary limits to reach an exceptional level.

The light's rise beyond the ceiling suggests a transcendent passage beyond ordinary limits.

Small solitary golden beam of light rises beyond ordinary outlined ceiling boundary into open white, tiny contemplative human silhouette below conveys surpassing bounds without literal floating person; restrained symbolic editorial drawing.

Etymology

transLatinbeyond

+cendLatinto climb

+entLatinpresent participle ending

The underlying image is climbing beyond a boundary or over an obstacle. Applied figuratively, this becomes surpassing ordinary limits rather than physically climbing above them.

In context

Jordan B Peterson34:46

something transcendent at least from the perspective of that current frame of reference has in fact occurred because so that's a mini miracle in some sense right because a miracle is something that doesn't obey the laws

Writer of Braveheart | Randall Wallace | EP 166

More examples

Her work reaches a transcendent level of skill.
He describes the experience as transcendent rather than ordinary pleasure.
The final passage has a quiet, transcendent power.

Forms

transcendent · more transcendent · most transcendent

Similar words

extraordinary: Means outside the ordinary without necessarily suggesting surpassing human limits.
sublime: Sublime evokes awe through greatness or beauty; transcendent emphasizes going beyond ordinary limits.