rudiment

Definitions

1. 1.Hence, an element or first principle of any art or science; a beginning of any knowledge; a first step. This boy is forest-born, And hath been tutored in the rudiments of many desperate studies. Shak. There he shall first lay down the rudiments Of his great warfare. Milton.
2. 2.(Biol.) An imperfect organ or part, or one which is never developed.
3. 3.To furnish with first principles or rules; to insrtuct in the rudiments. Gayton.

Source: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).

Related questions

• What does "rudiment" mean?

Reverse-dictionary questions

Definition-first questions whose answer is rudiment.

• What is an imperfect organ or part, or one which is never developed called?
• What is to furnish with first principles or rules; to insrtuct in the rudiments. Gayton called?