Main Entry:

¹tri·bune

Pronunciation:

\ˈtri-ˌbyün, tri-ˈ\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Latin tribunus, from tribus tribe

Date:

14th century

1 : a Roman official under the monarchy and the republic with the function of protecting the plebeian citizen from arbitrary action by the patrician magistrates 2 : an unofficial defender of the rights of the individual

— tri·bune·ship \-ˌship\ noun