define rudiments
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English Â© 2016. ruâ¢diâ¢ment (roÌoÌâ²dÉ mÉnt), n. Usually,rudiments. 1  the elements or first principles of a subject:the rudiments of grammar.  a mere beginning, first slight appearance, or undeveloped or imperfect form of something:the rudiments of a plan.