n.
Pronunciation: ' tri- ˌ byün, tri- '
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 \ - ˌ ship \ noun