rudiment
rudiment Lexical Profile
rudiment Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A fundamental principle, skill, or element of a subject, typically learned at the beginning (usually used in the plural).
"During her first semester at the conservatory, she mastered the rudiments of music theory and sight-reading."
An imperfect, undeveloped, or nascent beginning of something that may develop further.
"The ancient clay tablets already showed the rudiments of a complex accounting system."
In biology, an underdeveloped or nonfunctional organ or body part, either in an early embryonic stage or as an evolutionary remnant.
"Some species of flightless beetles still possess the tiny rudiments of hind wings beneath their shells."
In percussion, any of several standard, foundational sticking patterns used in drumming.
"The percussion instructor required every student to practice snare drum rudiments for thirty minutes each day."
Word Nuance & Usage
When referring to the foundational principles of a subject, 'rudiment' is almost always used in the plural form ('rudiments'), whereas the singular form is primarily reserved for biological organs or drumming patterns.
• Rhymes for rudiment
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the mid-16th century from Middle French or directly from Latin 'rudimentum' (meaning 'early training' or 'beginning'), derived from 'rudis', meaning 'unwrought, rough, or unlearned'.