\Ru"di*ment\, n. [L. rudimentum, fr. rudis unwrought,
ignorant, rude: cf. F. rudiment. See {Rude}.]
1. That which is unformed or undeveloped; the principle which
   lies at the bottom of any development; an unfinished
   beginning.
         but I will bring thee where thou soon shalt quit
         Those rudiments, and see before thine eyes The
         monarchies of the earth.              --Milton.
         the single leaf is the rudiment of beauty in
         landscape.                            --I. Taylor.
2. 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.
3. (Biol.) An imperfect organ or part, or one which is never
   developed.

\Ru"di*ment\, v. t.
To furnish with first principles or rules; to insrtuct in the
rudiments. --Gayton.