From Old French -, from Latin rudimentum, plural rudimenta ("the elements"), from rudis ("rude"); see rude.

• 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 (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]:

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

2. (often in the plural) A form that lacks full or complex development.

   I have the rudiments of an escape plan.

   • 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 ↗:

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

   • a. 1865, Isaac Taylor, Ornamentation of Nature:

     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.

• erudite

• 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; simple past and past participle rudimented)

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