rudiment

American  

[roo-duh-muhnt] / ˈru də mənt /

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.

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rudiment British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of rudiment

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

Explanation

Rudiment, usually used in the plural, means the basics. If you know the alphabet, you have the rudiments of reading at your disposal. You might learn the rudiments of cooking from your mother, but you won't become an expert until you spend time in your own kitchen. In biology, the word rudiment means an undeveloped part of an organ or limb, like you would find in an embryo or fetus.

Example Sentences

Rudiment of the embryon a simple living filament, becomes a living ring, and then a living tube.

From Zoonomia, Vol. I Or, the Laws of Organic Life by Darwin, Erasmus

Rudiment -any: the beginning of any structure or part before it has developed.

From Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology by Smith, John. B.

Rudiment, an imperfectly developed and functionally useless organ.

From The Wild Flowers of California: Their Names, Haunts, and Habits by Parsons, Mary Elizabeth