'transcendentalism' originates from the Latin word 'transcendere,' where 'trans-' meant 'across' and 'scandere' meant 'to climb.'

'transcendere' transformed into the English word 'transcendental,' and eventually became the modern English word 'transcendentalism.'

Initially, it meant 'to climb across or beyond,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of a philosophical movement emphasizing spiritual transcendence.