# rudiment

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈɹuːdɪmənt/

## Definitions
1. A fundamental principle or skill, especially in a field of learning.
2. A form that lacks full or complex development.
3. A body part that no longer has a function
4. In percussion, one of a selection of basic drum patterns learned as an exercise.

## Etymology
From Old French, from Latin rudimentum (“a first attempt, a beginning”), plural rudimenta (“the elements”), from rudis (“rude”); see rude.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/rudiment