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trib·une¹

(trĭbyn′, trĭ-byn)

1. An officer of ancient Rome elected by the plebeians to protect their rights from arbitrary acts of the patrician magistrates.

2. A protector or champion of the people.

[Middle English, from Old French tribun, from Latin tribūnus, from tribus, tribe; see TRIBE.]

tribu·nar′y (trĭbyə-nĕr′ē) adj.

trib·une²

(trĭbyn′, trĭ-byn)

1. A raised platform or dais from which a speaker addresses an assembly.

2. The usually domed or vaulted apse of a basilica.

3. See gallery.

[French, from Old French, part of a church, speaking platform, from Old Italian tribuna, from Medieval Latin tribūna, alteration of Latin tribūnal; see TRIBUNAL.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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