rudimentary Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite being or involving basic facts or principles
    underlying; fundamental.
    • the fundamental laws of the universe
    • a fundamental incomatibility between them
    • these rudimentary truths
    • underlying principles
  2. adjective satellite being in the earliest stages of development
    • rudimentary plans
  3. adjective satellite not fully developed in mature animals
    vestigial.
    • rudimentary wings

WordNet

Ru`di*men"ta*ry adjective
Etymology
Cf. F. rudimentaire.
Definitions
  1. Of or pertaining to rudiments; consisting in first principles; elementary; initial; as, rudimental essays.
  2. (Biol.) Very imperfectly developed; in an early stage of development; embryonic.

Webster 1913