tran·scen·den·tal [tran-sen-den-tl]
-adjective

1. transcendent, surpassing, or superior.
2. being beyond ordinary or common experience, thought, or belief; supernatural.
3. abstract or metaphysical
4. Philosophy
   a. beyond the contingent and accidental in human experience, but not beyond all human knowledge.

OK, this one isn’t as much Etymology as it is a definition because I don’t really see much about the origin of this word. Perhaps one of you smart people can help me out. Remember, I said smart.

I think Transcendental is being highly under utilized though, mostly because it would be such a kick-ass name for a dental clinic. I can see it now…the place would be filled with psychedelic art, the doctors would refer to themselves as “Transendentists”, and their uniforms would be slightly unbuttoned Nehru jackets and capri pants, while the dental assistants would wear retro flight attendant uniforms and go-go boots. The experience would definitely be beyond ordinary thanks to the skittles-flavored vicodins with yellow happy faces painted on them given away en masse at every visit. Best…dental appointment….ever….

Quite honestly, the philosophy part I don’t fully understand, but it seems to include the idea that knowledge can be intuitive and independent of experience. This means that being a Transcendentist at our clinic may not require a college degree, or that they might have one from Cal State Dominguez Hills which is the same thing.