First Known Use: 1839
Dictionary
rudimentary
adjective ru·di·men·ta·ry \ˌrü-də-ˈmen-tə-rē, -ˈmen-trē\
: basic or simple
: not very developed or advanced
Full Definition of RUDIMENTARY
1
: consisting in first principles : fundamental <had only a rudimentary formal education — D. J. Boorstin>
2
: of a primitive kind <the equipment of these past empire-builders was rudimentary — A. J. Toynbee>
3
: very imperfectly developed or represented only by a vestige <the rudimentary tail of a hyrax>
— ru·di·men·tar·i·ly \-ˌmen-ˈter-ə-lē, -ˈmen-trə-lē\ adverb
— ru·di·men·ta·ri·ness \-ˈmen-tə-rē-nəs, -ˈmen-trē-\ noun
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Examples of RUDIMENTARY
- Because now, every schlemiel with a pair of mirrored sunglasses and a rudimentary grasp of the rules of poker thinks he can play cards with the pros. —A. J. Jacobs, New York Times Book Review, 8 May 2005
- Despite the rudimentary nature of its instruments—an octant, a chronometer and a level—the Lewis and Clark Expedition was a triumph for science and natural history. —Daniel J. Boorstin, U.S. News & World Report, 11 July 1994
- A few were hopeless imbeciles, unable to comprehend more than the rudimentary requirements of filling their bellies when food was placed before them … —Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Monster Men, 1929
- It appears as if the posterior molar or wisdom-teeth were tending to become rudimentary in the more civilised races of man. —Charles Darwin, The Descent of Man, 1871
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Origin of RUDIMENTARY
(see rudiment)
Related to RUDIMENTARY
Rhymes with RUDIMENTARY
RUDIMENTARY Defined for Kids
rudimentary
adjective ru·di·men·ta·ry \ˌrüd-ə-ˈmen-tə-rē\
Definition of RUDIMENTARY for Kids
1
: elementary, simple <He has only rudimentary knowledge of math.>
2
: not fully developed <rudimentary wings>
Medical Dictionary
rudimentary
adjective ru·di·men·ta·ry \ˌrüd-ə-ˈment-ə-rē, -ˈmen-trē\
Medical Definition of RUDIMENTARY
: very imperfectly developed or represented only by a vestige
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