WordWeb Online

1. A statement of fundamental facts or principles
   "he mastered only the rudiments of geometry"
   - basics

1. The elementary stages of any subject (usually plural)
   "he mastered only the rudiments of geometry"
   - first rudiment, first principle, alphabet, ABC, ABC's, ABCs
    
2. The remains of a body part that was functional at an earlier stage of life
   "Meckel's diverticulum is the rudiment of the embryonic yolk sac"

See also: rudimentary

Type of: basic principle, basics, bedrock, body part, fact, fundamental principle, fundamentals

Encyclopedia: Rudiment