rudiment

Definition of Rudiment in English :

the elementary stages of any subject (usually plural)

Example Sentences:
'he mastered only the rudiments of geometry'

2. rudiment

the remains of a body part that was functional at an earlier stage of life

Example Sentences:
'Meckel's diverticulum is the rudiment of the embryonic yolk sac'

WordNet Lexical Database for English. Princeton University. 2010.

Rudiment

noun

1. (often plural)

the first principles or elementary stages of a subject

2. (often plural)

a partially developed version of something

3. biology

an organ or part in its earliest recognizable form, esp one in an embryonic or vestigial state

noun

1.

a first principle, element, or fundamental, as of a subject to be learned

usually used in pl.

the rudiments of physics

2.

a first slight beginning or appearance, or undeveloped form or stage, of something

usually used in pl.

3. Biology

an incompletely developed organ or part; specif., a vestigial organ or part with no functional activity; vestige

n.

1. often rudiments

a. A fundamental element, principle, or skill, as of a field of learning: the rudiments of calculus.

b. Something in an incipient or undeveloped form: the rudiments of social behavior in children; the rudiments of a plan of action.

2. Biology An imperfectly or incompletely developed organ or part.