rudiment

 
Pronunciation: /ˈruːdɪm(ə)nt/

noun

  • 1 (the rudiments of) the first principles of (a subject): she taught the girls the rudiments of reading and writing
  • an elementary or primitive form of (something): the rudiments of a hot-water system
  • 2 Biology an undeveloped or immature part or organ, especially a structure in an embryo or larva which will develop into an organ, limb, etc.: the fetal lung rudiment
  • 3 Music a basic pattern used by drummers, such as the roll, the flam, and the paradiddle.

Origin:

mid 16th century: from French, or from Latin rudimentum, from rudis 'unwrought', on the pattern of elementum 'element'