Literary notes about rudiments (AI summary)
The word “rudiments” in literature is often employed to signify the basic or preliminary components of a subject, whether it be language, science, or theory. Authors have used the term both in a literal sense—to denote the elemental parts of physical or natural phenomena, as seen in descriptions of embryology or insect anatomy ([1], [2])—and in a more abstract, educational context, where it represents the foundational skills or principles upon which further expertise is built ([3], [4], [5]). Moreover, "rudiments" is sometimes used metaphorically to critique or highlight the insufficiency of one’s abilities or the undeveloped nature of a concept, as when it refers to the beginnings of mental discipline, social customs, or military techniques ([6], [7], [8]). This dual usage underscores the term’s versatility in evoking both the literal beginnings of structure and the metaphorical origins of competence and knowledge.