rudiment
verbEtymology From Old French, from Latin rudimentum (“a first attempt, a beginning”), plural rudimenta (“the elements”), from rudis (“rude”); see rude. By surface analysis, rude + -i- + -ment.
1
To ground; to settle in first principles.
rudiment
noun/ˈɹuːdɪmənt/
Etymology From Old French, from Latin rudimentum (“a first attempt, a beginning”), plural rudimenta (“the elements”), from rudis (“rude”); see rude. By surface analysis, rude + -i- + -ment.
1
In plural, Often A fundamental principle or skill, especially in a field of learning.
- We'll be learning the rudiments of thermodynamics next week.
- This boy is forest-born, / And hath been tutored in the rudiments / Of many desperate studies.c. 1598–1600 (date written), William Shakespeare, “As You Like It”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene iv]:
1 more example
- The very emphasis on reading readiness and on the methods employed to teach children the rudiments of reading has meant that the other, the higher, levels of reading have tended to be slighted.1972, Mortimer J. Adler, Charles Van Doren, How to Read a Book, →ISBN, →LCCN, page 26:
2
In plural, Often A form that lacks full or complex development.
- I have the rudiments of an escape plan.
- But I will bring thee where thou soon shalt quit / Those rudiments, and see before thine eyes / The monarchies of the earth.1671, John Milton, “(please specify the page)”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for John Starkey […], →OCLC:
1 more example
- The single leaf is the rudiment of beauty in landscape.a. 1865, Isaac Taylor, Ornamentation of Nature:
3
Biology, Natural sciences A body part that no longer has a function
4
Entertainment, Lifestyle, Music In percussion, one of a selection of basic drum patterns learned as an exercise.
- Show me your rudiments.2014, Damien Chazelle, Whiplash, spoken by Terence Fletcher (J. K. Simmons):
- Derived terms
- rudimental, rudimentary
- Related terms
- erudite
- Hypernyms
- vestigiality