1447, from O.Fr. tribunal (13c.), from L. tribunal "platform for the seat of magistrates, elevation, embankment," from tribunus "official in ancient Rome, magistrate," lit. "head of a tribe," from tribus (see tribe). Hence, a court of justice or judicial assembly (1590).
Main Entry: tri·bu·nal Pronunciation: trI-'byün-&l, tri- Function: noun Etymology: Latin, platform for magistrates, from tribunus tribune, from tribus tribe 1: the seat of a judge or one acting as a judge 2: a court or forum of justice : a person or body of persons having to hear and decide disputes so as to bind the parties