a. [f. as prec. + -AN. Cf. F. tribunicien (14th c. in Hatz.-Darm.).] Of, belonging or pertaining to a Roman tribune, or the office of tribune.
1533. Bellenden, Livy, III. iv. (S.T.S.), I. 255. Þis auctorite tribuniciane was devisit to þe vniuersall profitt and supporte of þe ciete.
1598. Grenewey, Tacitus’ Ann., VI. iv. (1622), 126. By a Tribunitian law it was brought vnto halfe one in the hundred; and in the end Vsury was wholly forbidden.
1730. A. Gordon, Maffei’s Amphith., 342. The Tribunitian Viatores had places.
1842. De Quincey, Pagan Oracles, Wks. 1858, VIII. 180. The very same reason which had obliged Augustus not to suppress … the tribunitian office.
1891. Farrar, Darkn. & Dawn, lx. He would exercise his ancient tribunician privilege, and veto a decree of condemnation.
b. transf. and fig. Having the power of veto like the Roman tribunes; popularly appointed; demagogic; factious.
1637. Heylin, Answ. to Burton, 80. Mass. Prinne is of a factious Tribunitian spirit.
1783. Town & Country Mag., 19. He must … exercise a tribunitian power of … preventing the exhibition of what the nominal physician prescribes.
1846. Landor, To J. Forster, Wks. II. 675. Steadfast Cromwell’s tribunitian throne.
1854. Milman, Lat. Chr., VII. i. (1864), IV. 21. The tribunitian fury of ecclesiastical demagogues.
1888. Pall Mall G., 20 Jan., 2/2. The association would be … a great associated tribune of the people, with more than tribunitian powers.
