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

Many adults, it is said, hardly have a rudiment of this feeling, pairing the most fiercely antagonistic tints.

From Project Gutenberg

Yet even in the case of this child one could observe now and again a rudiment of the tendency to bring in what is hidden.

From Project Gutenberg

No; what struck me was that never have I seen in you the smallest rudiment or embryo of a conscience or of any moral sense.

From Project Gutenberg

Some little trace would be kept by the clinging force of heredity, and at some time or another this rudiment would appear.

From Project Gutenberg

The love of the sex with man is not the origin of conjugial love, but is its first rudiment, 98.

From Project Gutenberg