A Word A Day : Rudimentary



Sunday, 17th February 2008 : Today's Word is ...

Rudimentary



( Adjective )



Pronunciation : rode-ménta-ree


Definition:


1. Of or relating to basic facts or principles

2. Being in the earliest stages of development

3. Biology: Imperfectly or incompletely developed

4. Biology: In form of embryo, in an embryonic state

5. Pertaining to something either vestigial or embryonic


Etymology:


Origin: 1830–40, Latin rudîmentum early training, first experience, initial stage, equiv. to rudi(s) unformed, rough


Synonyms


basic, elementary, rudimental, abecedarian, basal, beginning, early, elemental, elemental, embryonic, fundamental, immature, immature, initial, introductory, larval, primary, primitive, simple, simplest, three R's, uncompleted, undeveloped, vestigial


Antonyms


additional, advanced, derivative, developed, extra, nonessential, sophisticated


Contextual Examples:


• I have only a rudimentary knowledge of geometry.

• What strange developments of humanity, what wonderful advances upon our rudimentary civilization, I thought, might not appear when I came to look nearly into the dim elusive world that raced and fluctuated before my eyes.

• The primitive tribe's tools were very rudimentary. In fact, they looked more like rocks than like tools.

• The boy who had lived with wolves for fifteen years lacked even the most rudimentary social skills.

• The strange creature had small bumps on its torso that appeared to be rudimentary limbs.


Related Words:


rudimental : Adjective

rudimentarily : Adverb

rudimentariness : Noun


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