rudiments

/ˈrudəmənts/
noun
  1. The basic or elementary principles of a subject or skill.
    • The class teaches the rudiments of music, such as reading notes and keeping time.
    • She learned the rudiments of gardening from her grandmother.
    • Before you can write a novel, you must master the rudiments of grammar.
  2. The first, undeveloped or imperfect stage of something.
    • The rudiments of a smile crossed her face before she turned away.
    • In the lab, we observed the rudiments of a crystal forming in the solution.
    • The rudiments of a new political movement began to appear in the small town.
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