Immanent

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈɪmÉ™nÉ™nt/
• Homophones: imminent many dialects

Origin

Entered English around 1530, via French, from Late Latin immanēns, present participle of Latin immanēre, from im- ("in") + manēre ("to dwell, remain, stay"). Cognate with remain and manor.

Full definition of immanent

Adjective

1. Naturally part of something; existing throughout and within something; inherent; integral; intrinsic; indwelling.
2. Restricted entirely to the mind or a given domain; internal; subjective.
3. (philosophy, metaphysics, theology, of a deity) existing within and throughout the mind and the world; dwelling within and throughout all things, all time, etc. Compare transcendent.
4. (philosophy, of a mental act) Taking place entirely within the mind of the subject and having no effect outside of it. Compare emanant, transeunt.
5. Being within the limits of experience or knowledge.

Related terms

• immanence, immanency
• immanently
• immanentize
• immanentization

Usage notes

Not to be confused with imminent ("about to occur") or immanant ("a certain type of scalar property of a matrix").