• IPA: /ˈɹuːdɪmənt/

rudiment (plural rudiments)

1. (often in the plural) A fundamental principle or skill, especially in a field of learning.

   We'll be learning the rudiments of thermodynamics next week.

   • c. 1598–1600, William Shakespeare, “As You Like It”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: Printed by Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358 ↗, [Act V, scene iv]:

     This boy is forest-born, / And hath been tutored in the rudiments / Of many desperate studies.

2. (often in the plural) Something in an undeveloped form.

   I have the rudiments of an escape plan.

   • 1671, John Milton, Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: Printed by J. M[acock] for John Starkey […], OCLC 228732398 ↗:

     But I will bring thee where thou soon shalt quit / Those rudiments, and see before thine eyes / The monarchies of the earth.

   • The single leaf is the rudiment of beauty in landscape.

3. (biology) A body part that no longer has a function
4. (music) In percussion, one of a selection of basic drum patterns learned as an exercise.

• French: rudiment
• German: Grundlage, Rudiment
• Russian: основа
• Spanish: rudimento

• French: rudiment
• German: Ansatz
• Spanish: rudimento

• French: rudiment
• German: Überbleibsel
• Russian: рудиме́нт
• Spanish: rudimento

rudiment (rudiments, present participle rudimenting; past and past participle rudimented)

1. (transitive) To ground; to settle in first principles.