Rudiment

Webster's Dictionary of the English Language

·noun An imperfect organ or part, or one which is never developed.

II. Rudiment ·vt To furnish with first principles or rules; to insrtuct in the rudiments.

III. Rudiment ·noun Hence, an element or first principle of any art or science; a beginning of any knowledge; a first step.

IV. Rudiment ·noun That which is unformed or undeveloped; the principle which lies at the bottom of any development; an unfinished beginning.