rudimentum

rŭdīmentum, i, n. [1. rudis], a first attempt, trial, or essay; a beginning, commencement in any thing (not ante-Aug.; cf. tirocinium).

I.

Most usual as milit. t. t.:

militare,

Liv. 21, 3; plur.:

rudimentis militiae imbutus,

the elements, Vell. 2, 129, 2:

dura belli,

Verg. A. 11, 157: rudimenta adulescentiae ponere, to lay down the rudiments, complete the first beginnings, pass one ' s novitiate, Liv. 31, 11 fin.; cf.:

sub militiā patris tirocinii rudimenta deposuit,

Just. 9, 1, 8.—

II.

In other things:

rudimentum primum puerilis regni,

Liv. 1, 3; cf. Quint. 1, 8, 15:

prima rhetorices rudimenta,

the first principles, rudiments, id. 2, 5, 1; cf. Suet. Aug. 64:

vidi Protogenis rudimenta cum ipsius naturae veritate certantia,

Petr. 83, 1:

civilium officiorum rudimentis regem Archelaum defendit,

Suet. Tib. 8:

ponere,

id. Ner. 22:

prima pueritiae rudimenta deponere,

Just. 7, 5, 3 (cf. supra, I.).