Tribunal
/trɪˈbjuːnəl/noun
A court of justice or a body established to judge disputes or claims.
Did you know?The word comes from the Roman tribune, a magistrate originally tied to the people’s protection, so its legal aura is rooted in ancient political power, not magic.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*tri-
“three”
Latin
Latin
trēs
“three”
Latin
Latin
tribus
“a tribe; one of the three original Roman tribes”
Latin
Latin
tribūnus
“a Roman official of a tribe, especially a protector of the people”
Late Latin
Latin
tribūnāle
“a tribunal; the seat or platform of a judge or magistrate”
Old French
Old French
tribunal
“a bench or seat of judgment; a court”
Modern English
English
tribunal
“a court or judicial body”