n.
Pronunciation: ' rü-d ə -m ə nt
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin rudimentum beginning, from rudis raw, rude
Date: 1548
1 : a basic principle or element or a fundamental skill ― usually used in plural <teaching themselves the rudiment s of rational government ― G. B. Galanti>
2 a : something unformed or undeveloped : BEGINNING ― usually used in plural <the rudiment s of a plan> b (1) : a body part so deficient in size or structure as to be entirely unable to perform its normal function (2) : an organ just beginning to develop : ANLAGE
– ru · di · men · tal \ ˌ rü-d ə - ' men-t ə l \ adjective