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transcendental function

American  

noun

Mathematics.
  1. a function that is not an algebraic function.


transcendental function British  

noun

  1. maths a function that is not capable of expression in terms of a finite number of arithmetical operations, such as sin x

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of transcendental function

First recorded in 1875–80