sb. (a.) Also 6 try-, 6–7 -all. [ad. L. tribūnāl, -āle sb. neut., a tribunal, judgment seat, f. tribūn-us TRIBUNE sb.1: see -AL. Cf. F. tribunal (13th c. in Hatz.-Darm.), perh. the immediate source; also Sp., Pg. tribunal, It. tribunale. By Spenser stressed tribuna·l as in French.]
1. Originally, A raised semicircular or square platform in a Roman basilica, on which the seats of the magistrates were placed; a dais; a raised throne or chair of state; a judgment seat (also fig.).
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 212. We all shall stande before the tribunall of god.
1590. Spenser, F. Q., III. v. 53. And crowne your heades with heavenly coronall, Such as the Angels weare before Gods tribunall.
1642. in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. IV. 429. Making 2 Tribunalles or seates for the judges at the last assizes.
1702. Echard, Eccl. Hist. (1710), 612. They will be both read in the day of Judgment, before the Tribunal of Jesus Christ.
1833. Cruse, Eusebius, V. i. 170. Those around the tribunal cried out against him.
2. A court of justice; a judicial assembly.
1590. Spenser, F. Q., II. ix. 53. Painted faire … with picturals Of Magistrates, of courts, of tribunals.
1610. Holland, Camden’s Brit. (1637), 177. The Tribunals, or Courts of Justice in England.
1667. Milton, P. L., III. 326. When thou … shalt … from thee send The … Arch-Angels to proclaime Thy dread Tribunal.
1687. T. Brown, Saints in Uproar, Wks. 1730, I. 82. I am forced to appeal to your impartial tribunal.
1835. Alison, Hist. Europe (1847), IV. xiv. 137. On the 14th October [1793], the Queen was brought before the Revolutionary Tribunal.
1867. Freeman, Norm. Conq., I. vi. 574. The judgement of a competent tribunal is always worth something.
b. fig. Place of judgment or decision; judicial authority.
1635. Quarles, Embl., II. xiii. 49. Go up, my soul, into the tribunal of thy conscience.
1734. trans. Rollin’s Anc. Hist. (1827), I. 153. The field of battle is a tribunal without partiality and cabal.
1817. Bentham, Parl. Reform, Introd. 222. By the tribunal of public opinion it ought to be taken as and for confessional evidence.
1875. Whitney, Life Lang., viii. 150. Our recognition of the community as final tribunal which decides whether anything shall be language or not.
† 3. = TRIBUNE sb.2 1, 2. Obs.
1644. Evelyn, Diary, 7 Nov. [In Rome] the … Churches of St Cosmo and Damiano,… a pretty odd fabriq, with a Tribunal, or Tholus within, wrought all of Mosaic. Ibid., 12 Nov. The tribunal of the high altar is of exquisite worke. Ibid. (1694), 5 Oct. Placing columns on pilasters at the East tribunal [of St. Paul’s].
1722. J. Richardson, Statues, etc. Italy, 319. The Tribunal, or Mezzo Cupola of Dominichino.
1797. Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3), VII. 300/2. The … Venus of Medici … stands in a room called the Tribunal [Tribuna].
B. attrib. or as adj.
1. Pertaining to, of the nature of, or authorized by a tribunal.
1554–5. Bradford, Lett., 16 Feb., in Coverdale, Lett. Martyrs (1564), 471. A thing wherof I doute not to answer … before the tribunal seat of Iesus Christ.
1560. Rolland, Crt. Venus, II. 1020. Or Rhamnusia in hir sait Tribunall.
1610. Histrio-m., VI. 91. Affliction is the perfect way That leads to Joves tribunall dignity.
1645. Milton, Tetrach., Wks. 1851, IV. 216. A law to suffer a kind of tribunall adultery.
1708. Prior, Mice, 37. When we meet at God’s tribunal throne.
† 2. Of or pertaining to a tribune. Obs. rare.
1577. Hanmer, Anc. Eccl. Hist. (1663), 21. A sign being given from the tribunal seat.
1577–87. Holinshed, Chron., I. 34/1. Narcisus went vp vnto the tribunall throne of Plautius, to declare the cause of his comming.
1670. Narr. Long Parl., in Somers, Tracts (1748), I. 32. Persons … of a tribunal Spirit and Temper.
Hence Tribunalled a., having or seated on a tribunal; † Tribunalship = TRIBUNESHIP.
1654. R. Codrington, trans. Iustine, XIII. 213. The chief Tribunalship of the Camp was given to Seleuchus.
1852. Meanderings of Memory, I. 32. Tribunalled judge, he weds the weaker cause, Holds sternly up as he lays down the laws.
