tribune

trib·une ¹  (trbyn, tr-byn)

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.

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

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tribu·nary (trby-nr) adj.

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trib·une ²  (trbyn, tr-byn)

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.

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[French, from Old French, part of a church, speaking platform, from Old Italian tribuna, from Medieval Latin tribna, alteration of Latin tribnal; see tribunal.]

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tribune

Noun

1. a person who upholds public rights

2. (in ancient Rome) an officer elected by the plebs to protect their interests [Latin tribunus]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	tribune - (ancient Rome) an official elected by the plebeians to protect their interests capital of Italy, Eternal City, Italian capital, Rome, Roma - capital and largest city of Italy; on the Tiber; seat of the Roman Catholic Church; formerly the capital of the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire defender, guardian, protector, shielder - a person who cares for persons or property antiquity - the historic period preceding the Middle Ages in Europe
	2.	tribune - the apse of a Christian church that contains the bishop's throne apse, apsis - a domed or vaulted recess or projection on a building especially the east end of a church; usually contains the altar