tribune

What it means

1. historicalAn elected official in Ancient Rome, a tribune of the plebs.
2. historicalA military officer in Ancient Rome ranking below a legate and above a centurion, a military tribune.
3. figurativelyA protector of the people; a public figure who appeals to and on behalf of the people through oratory.

In a sentence

The new magazine's goal is to give a tribune to unmarried mothers.

Where it comes from

1. Latintribunus“tribune, tribal leader”
2. Old Frenchtribun
3. Middle Englishtribune
4. Englishtribune

From Middle English tribune, from Old French tribun, tribune, from Latin tribunus (“tribune, tribal leader”), from tribus (“tribe”).