rudimentary
Meaning: Involving or limited to basic principles or the most fundamental level; not fully developed or advanced.
Rudimentary describes something at the most basic or undeveloped stage. It can refer to knowledge (a rudimentary understanding), skills (rudimentary skills), facilities (rudimentary living conditions), or biological structures (a rudimentary tail). The word implies that something is functional but primitive or minimal. The noun 'rudiments' means the basic elements or first principles of something. Common collocations include 'rudimentary knowledge,' 'rudimentary understanding,' 'rudimentary skills,' and 'rudimentary level.'
Examples
- The shelter provided only rudimentary protection from the elements — just a tin roof and three walls. 那个避难所仅提供最基本的遮风挡雨功能——只有一个铁皮屋顶和三面墙。El refugio ofrecía solo una protección rudimentaria contra los elementos: un tejado de chapa y tres paredes.その避難所はトタン屋根と三方の壁だけという、初歩的な防護しか提供していませんでした。그 대피소는 양철 지붕과 세 면의 벽뿐인, 기초적인 보호만 제공했습니다.
- Most children acquire a rudimentary understanding of mathematics before they start formal schooling. 大多数儿童在接受正式教育之前就已获得了对数学的初步理解。La mayoría de los niños adquieren una comprensión rudimentaria de las matemáticas antes de comenzar la educación formal.ほとんどの子どもは正式な学校教育を受ける前に、数学の基礎的な理解を身につけます。대부분의 어린이는 정규 교육을 받기 전에 수학에 대한 기초적인 이해를 습득합니다.
- The software is still at a rudimentary stage and lacks many of the features planned for the final release. 该软件仍处于初级阶段,缺少最终版本中计划的许多功能。El software se encuentra aún en una fase rudimentaria y carece de muchas de las funciones previstas para la versión definitiva.そのソフトウェアはまだ初歩的な段階にあり、最終リリースで予定されている多くの機能が欠けています。그 소프트웨어는 아직 초보적인 단계에 있으며, 최종 출시에 예정된 많은 기능이 부족합니다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: academic, professional, general
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Latin rudimentum (a first attempt, beginning), from rudis (rough, raw, unworked). It entered English in the mid-16th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
More From This Topic
More from General Advanced
Flashcards, quizzes, audio pronunciation & spaced repetition — all free