Trĭb'ūne, n.
(trĭb'yun) (Synop., § 130), n. [Lat. tribūnus, properly the chief of a tribe, from tribus, tribe; Fr. tribun, Pr. tribu, Sp., Pg., & It. tribuno.]
Sense 1. (Rom. Antiq.) An officer or magistrate chosen by the people, to protect them from the oppression of the patricians or nobles, and to defend their liberties against any attempts that might be made upon them by the senate and consuls.
☞ The tribunes were at first two, but their number was increased ultimately to ten. There were also military tribunes, officers of the army, of whom there were from four to six in each legion. There were also other officers called tribunes; as, tribunes of the treasury, &c.
Sense 2. Anciently, a bench or elevated place, from which speeches were delivered; in France, a pulpit or elevated place in the Chamber of Deputies, or other legislative assembly, where a speaker stands while making an address.