\Trib"une\, n. [L. tribunus, properly, the chief of a
tribe, fr. tribus tribe: cf. F. tribun. See {Tribe}.]
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.
Note: 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. Other officers were also
      called tribunes; as, tribunes of the treasury, etc.
2. Anciently, a bench or elevated place, from which speeches
   were delivered; in France, a kind of pulpit in the hall of
   the legislative assembly, where a member stands while
   making an address; any place occupied by a public orator.