Etymology Map
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Tribunal

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a court of justice

Where does the word "tribunal" come from? It comes from Latin tribunal, adopted directly into English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
tribunal
Latin · ancient
"judge's platform"
from 'tribunus', the tribune who judged cases
2
Stage 2 of 2
tribunal
English · 1400s
"judgement seat"
war crimes 'tribunals' date from the 1940s
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Read the full story

Tribunal’s story begins in Latin: tribunal meant “judge's platform.” From 'tribunus', the tribune who judged cases. It reached English by 1400s as tribunal. War crimes 'tribunals' date from the 1940s. Today, tribunal means a court of justice.