A principle formulated by Ermintrude without hesitation (8)

I believe the answer is:

rudiment

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'a principle' is the definition.
(rudiment is a kind of principle)

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for rudiment that I've seen before include "stage at the start" , "Basic form of something" , "Beginning" , "Fundamental principle" , "Basic principle" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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