I.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.).
