Tri*bom"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. &?; to rub + - meter: cf. F. tribomètre.] An
instrument to ascertain the degree of friction in rubbing surfaces.
Brande & C.
Tri"brach (?), n. [L. tribrachys, Gr. &?; consisting of three short
syllables; &?; (see Tri-) + &?; short.] (Gr. & L. Pros.) A poetic foot
of three short syllables, as, mls.
Tri*brac"te*ate (?), a. [Pref. tri- + bracteate.] (Bot.) Having three
bracts.
{ Trib"u*al (?), Trib"u*lar (?), } a. Of or relating to a tribe;
tribal; as, a tribual characteristic; tribular worship. [R.]
The tribual lispings of the Ephraimites.
Fuller.
Trib`u*la"tion (?), n. [OE. tribulacium, F. tribulation, L. tribulatio,
from tribulare to press, afflict, fr. tribulum a thrashing sledge, akin
to terere, tritum, to rub. See Trite.] That which occasions distress,
trouble, or vexation; severe affliction.
When tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by
he is offended.
Matt. xiii. 21.
In the world ye shall have tribulation.
John. xvi. 33.
Tri*bu"nal (?), n. [L. tribunal, fr. tribunus a tribune who
administered justice: cf. F. tribunal. See Tribune.] 1. The seat of a
judge; the bench on which a judge and his associates sit for
administering justice.
2. Hence, a court or forum; as, the House of Lords, in England, is the
highest tribunal in the kingdom.
Trib"u*na*ry (?), a. Of or pertaining to tribunes; as, tribunary powers
or authority.
Trib"u*nate (?), n. [L. tribunatus: cf. F. tribunat.] The state or
office of a tribune; tribuneship.
Trib"une (?), n. [L. tribunus, properly, the chief of a tribe, fr.
tribus tribe: cf. F. tribun. See Tribe.] 1. (Rom. Antiq.) An officer or
magistrate chosen by the people, to protect them from the oppression of
the patricians, or nobles, and to defend their liberties against any
attempts that might be made upon them by the senate and consuls.
The tribunes were at first two, but their number was increased
ultimately to ten. There were also military tribunes, officers of the
army, of whom there were from four to six in each legion. Other
officers were also called tribunes; as, tribunes of the treasury, etc.
2. Anciently, a bench or elevated place, from which speeches were
delivered; in France, a kind of pulpit in the hall of the legislative
assembly, where a member stands while making an address; any place
occupied by a public orator.
Trib"une*ship, n. The office or power of a tribune.
{ Trib`u*ni"cian (?), Trib`u*ni"tial (?), Trib`u*ni*tian (?), } a. [L.
tribunicius, tribunitius: cf. F. tribunitien.] Of or pertaining to
tribunes; befitting a tribune; as, tribunitial power or authority.
Dryden.
A kind of tribunician veto, forbidding that which is recognized to be
wrong.
Hare.
Trib`u*ni"tious (?), a. Tribunician; tribunitial. [Obs.] Bacon.
Trib"u*ta*ri*ly (?), adv. In a tributary manner.
Trib"u*ta*ri*ness, n. The quality or state of being tributary.
Trib"u*ta*ry (?), a. [OE. tributaire, F. tributaire, L. tributarius.
See Tribute.] 1. Paying tribute to another, either from compulsion, as
an acknowledgment of submission, or to secure protection, or for the
purpose of purchasing peace.
[Julius] unto Rome made them tributary.
Chaucer.