propaedeuticsn.
/ˌprəʊpiːˈdjuːtɪks/, /ˌprəʊpiːˈdʒuːtɪks/, U.S. /ˌproʊpiˈd(j)udɪks/ The body of principles or rules introductory to any art, science, or subject of special study; preliminary learning; an instance of this.
ΘΚΠ
society > education > learning > study > subject or object of study > [noun] > rudiments
elements1382
ABCa1393
ground1528
introduction1532
principles1532
rudiments1534
institution1537
accidence1562
institute1578
alphabet1593
ut, re1598
gamut1600
Christ-cross-row1608
grammates1633
initiament1727
notion1839
propaedeutics1842
rudimentaries1852
1842 W. T. Brande Dict. Sci., Lit. & Art 991/1 Propædeutics, a term used by German writers to signify the preliminary learning connected with any art or science: that in which it is necessary to be instructed, in order to study with advantage the art or science itself.
1877 A. B. Alcott Table-talk 114 Rather is it [sc. our secular life] the propædeutics of human combination and communication, wherein spiritual life becomes a reality.
1909 Daily Chron. 26 June 3/2 A more futile and feeble attempt at murder than that of Sir Theodore Gresham's we have never known. The man had not even learned the propædeutics of assassination.
1972 A. Scaglione Classical Theory of Composition iii. 149 The sequence language, style, reasoning, or grammar, rhetoric, logic as necessary propedeutics..to ethical and physical knowledge had finally lost its vitality.
2004 D. Sandner Fantastic Lit. 138 On the other hand, though, it is only a propedeutics to literature:..it must start from language, even if only to reject it.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.1842