RUDIMENTARY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does rudimentary mean? 

• RUDIMENTARY (adjective)
  The adjective RUDIMENTARY has 3 senses:

1. being or involving basic facts or principles

2. being in the earliest stages of development

3. not fully developed in mature animals

  Familiarity information: RUDIMENTARY used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• RUDIMENTARY (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Being or involving basic facts or principles

Synonyms:

fundamental; rudimentary; underlying

Context example:

underlying principles

Similar:

basic (pertaining to or constituting a base or basis)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Being in the earliest stages of development

Context example:

rudimentary plans

Similar:

incomplete; uncomplete (not complete or total; not completed)

Derivation:

rudiment (the remains of a body part that was functional at an earlier stage of life)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Not fully developed in mature animals

Synonyms:

rudimentary; vestigial

Context example:

rudimentary wings

Similar:

undeveloped (not developed, mature, or fully formulated)

Domain category:

biological science; biology (the science that studies living organisms)

Derivation:

rudiment (the remains of a body part that was functional at an earlier stage of life)

 Context examples 

There is a method in his madness, and the rudimentary idea in my mind is growing.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

The coccyx is a result of 3-5 fused rudimentary vertebrae.

(Coccyx, NCI Thesaurus)

A very rare congenital brain defect in which the cerebral cortex, striatum, globus pallidus, thalamus, hypothalamus, and eyes are absent or rudimentary.

(Aprosencephaly, NCI Thesaurus)

The organ of milk secretion; one of two hemispheric projections of variable size situated in the subcutaneous layer over the pectoralis major muscle on either side of the chest of the mature female; it is rudimentary in the male.

(Female Breast, NCI Thesaurus)

Breast. 1. The pectoral surface of the thorax. 2. The organ of milk secretion; one of two hemispheric projections of variable size situated in the subcutaneous layer over the pectoralis major muscle on either side of the chest of the mature female; it is rudimentary in the male.

(Murine Breast, Female, NCI Thesaurus)