rudiments
the basic parts of something that you learn first
The most basic facts, principles, or skills of a subject or activity, needed before you can progress further.
the very early beginning of something
The earliest stage of something’s development, or the first small signs that it is starting to exist or happen.
small parts that have not fully developed
Small or incomplete parts of an organism that are not fully developed, or that remain as traces of a structure that was more developed in an earlier stage or ancestor.
- Base: rudiments
- Plural: rudiments
learn the rudiments (of [something])
1start learning the basics
to start learning the basics of something
- He learned the rudiments of web design from free online tutorials.
- The workshop helps beginners learn the rudiments of public speaking.
- She learned the rudiments of carpentry from her father.
- I want to learn the rudiments of programming.
teach [someone] the rudiments (of [something])
1teach someone the basics
to teach someone the basics of something
- Our coach taught us the rudiments of the sport in the first session.
- She taught her brother the rudiments of budgeting.
- The class is designed to teach students the rudiments of research methods.
- The teacher taught us the rudiments of grammar.
the merest rudiments (of [something])
1only the smallest basics
only a very small amount of basic knowledge
- He doesn’t have the merest rudiments of customer service.
- They lacked even the merest rudiments of a workable plan.
- If you know the merest rudiments of cooking, you can make this dish.