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