rudiment

[ roo-duh-muhnt ]

noun

1. Usually rudiments.
   1. the elements or first principles of a subject:

      the rudiments of grammar.

   2. a mere beginning, first slight appearance, or undeveloped or imperfect form of something:

      the rudiments of a plan.

2. Biology. an organ or part incompletely developed in size or structure, as one in an embryonic stage, one arrested in growth, or one with no functional activity, as a vestige.

rudiment

/ ˈruːdɪmənt /

noun

1. often plural the first principles or elementary stages of a subject
2. often plural a partially developed version of something
3. biology an organ or part in its earliest recognizable form, esp one in an embryonic or vestigial state

Word History and Origins

Origin of rudiment¹

1540–50; < Latin rudīmentum early training, first experience, initial stage, equivalent to rudi ( s ) unformed, rough ( rude ) + -mentum -ment ( -ī- for -i- after verbal derivatives)

Word History and Origins

Origin of rudiment¹

C16: from Latin rudīmentum a beginning, from rudis unformed; see rude

Example Sentences

Before filming began, she took a ballet crash course with the choreographer Belinda Murphy, who taught Weir the rudiments of dancing in pointe shoes and shaped the extended ballet sequence that opens the film.

From New York Times

Colette Saulnier, not yet 4, was already learning the rudiments of music, and even at that age she was drawn to the work of her famous neighbor.

From New York Times

Last year, for example, Hanna and colleagues grew such cells into embryo mimics that sported a beating heart, the rudiments of a brain and spinal cord, and incipient muscles.

From Science Magazine

Second fundamental term: académie, noun, French, a depiction of a nude model, made from life by an art student mastering the rudiments of painting and drawing.

From New York Times

The manager wanted all staffers to learn the rudiments of production, and Ms. Walters was an avid pupil.

From Washington Post