REZ
I just found a fascinating word while browsing the dictionary for words with im prefix. The word "immanent" is defined as: (of the supreme being) permanently pervading the universe (opp TRANSCENDENT). Could you please explain the difference compared with other words like ubiquitous and omnipresent? By the way, why is the word "transcendent" the opposite of "immanent"? Thanks
31. März 2025 00:19
Antworten · 16
1
That's a beautiful word with Latin roots that are related in meaning to "dwell". To me, it has no feeling of transcendence. Rather, something that is "immanent" is naturally present within rather than being external. For example, you could say that the idea of "democracy" is immanent in a nation's founding principles. I searched for words having Germanic rather than Latin roots having the same meaning. For some reason, I often prefer Germanic words to Latin ones. The words I found were "inborn" and "innate", and I do prefer them to "immanent". "Immanent" sounds showy, and is likely to be confused with the unrelated word "eminent".
31. März 2025 18:53
1
I concur with the other Dan. I don't recall ever hearing the word immanent in my life. But there is a common word that sounds exactly the same and means a different thing: imminent. Obviously we can easily search online for information about this word 'immanent' though. Apparently it comes from Late Latin, by combining In (within) and Manere (remain) to form immanent (remaining within). Transcending, by contrast, is a form of changing - often changing yourself, or your reach - in order to overcome a phase or obstacle. Ubiquitous and Omnipresent refer to something so common or powerful that it reaches everywhere.
31. März 2025 10:01
1
I'm over 60 years old, well-educated, interested in lots of things, and I've never heard the word IMMANENT in my life. So, maybe it's not widely used. Or maybe I missed out somewhere. Hopefully someone will have some knowledge and shed some light on it
31. März 2025 03:48
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