[ru.di.ment] n [L rudimentum beginning, fr. rudis raw, rude] (1548) 1: a basic principle or element or a fundamental skill--usu. used in pl. "teaching themselves the ~s of rational government --G. B. Galanti"
2. a: something unformed or undeveloped: beginning--usu. used in pl. "the ~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 adj