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rudiment

rudiment

3 4.3
A basic skill or idea you learn first when starting something
  • noun
  • /ˈruːdɪmənt/
translation icon : fundamento
  • Every musician must learn the rudiments of music theory to play well.
  • master the rudiments
  • teaches them the rudiments
  • learn the rudiments

Examples

  • None had experience, so all received a short course teaching them the rudiments of surveying.

    Academic text (1994)
  • I myself would begin by requiring every college student to master the rudiments of economics.

    Academic text (1991)
  • - I know the basic rudiments.

  • Mother taught me the medical rudiments.

  • His Romanian mind had acquired the rudiments of English and French, which the hotel business required.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • All their children, of course, had to be baptized and instructed in the rudiments of the Christian faith.

    Academic text (1995)
  • It's as if everyone wants to become Beethoven without learning the rudiments of musical composition.

    Blog text (18)
  • Here at Settignano, he studied the rudiments of sculpture technique.

  • Shouldn't every educated American know at least the rudiments of how we got our rights and how they are enforced?

    Academic text (1991)
  • Once the rudiments are mastered, singing provides lifelong opportunities for musical experience and self-expression with minimal expense.

    Academic text (2006)

Synonyms

basics
vsrudiment
8 1.0

Important facts or skills you learn first in a subject

covers any elementary part, not only those taught first
rudiments
vsrudiment
5.1

Basic facts or skills you learn first in a subject

is the singular form referring to one basic element
fundamentals
vsrudiment
  • Specialized
3.0

Basic ideas you learn first when studying a subject

refers to a single elementary part rather than the whole core

Antonyms

302 4.9

Special skill or knowledge in one area, for example law

How Fundamental

core
468 3.2
foundation
182 3.5
rudiment
3 4.3
element
3.0
detail
1.0

Surface Forms

rudiment singular
rudiments plural

Etymology

Rudiment comes from the Latin rudis 'rough' or 'untrained' and the old word rudimentum meaning 'a first, unfinished thing'. So a rudiment is a simple first part or skill — what you learn at the beginning, the basic foundation.