GRE Vocab: Understanding ‘Tribunal’ – A Specialized Court
Learn about the GRE vocabulary word ‘tribunal’. Discover its meaning as a specialized court or panel, its Latin origins, and how it’s used in legal contexts. Includes examples and common usage errors to help with your GRE prep.
Imagine standing before a panel of judges, your fate hanging in the balance. This scenario might bring to mind today’s GRE vocabulary word: tribunal.
Word type: Tribunal is a noun, pronounced as tri-byoo-nuhl.
Meaning: A tribunal is a court of justice, especially one with special jurisdiction.
It can also refer to a committee or board appointed to adjudicate in a particular matter. Tribunals are often established to deal with specific types of disputes or to investigate particular issues.
Word history: The word tribunal has its roots in Latin. It comes from the word tribunus, which referred to a Roman official or magistrate.
The term tribune itself is derived from tribus, meaning tribe. Originally, tribunes were elected to protect the interests of the common people, or plebeians, in ancient Rome.
Over time, the concept evolved to encompass various forms of judicial bodies.
Antonyms: While there aren’t direct antonyms for tribunal, some contrasting concepts include lawlessness, anarchy, or vigilantism.
Synonyms: Some synonyms for tribunal include court, judiciary, forum, panel, and arbitration board.
Examples use in sentences:
The employee took her case of unfair dismissal to an employment tribunal. The United Nations established an international tribunal to prosecute war crimes.
A special tribunal was set up to investigate corruption allegations within the government. Common errors in use:
One common mistake is confusing tribunal with trial. While both are related to legal proceedings, a tribunal is a specific type of court or panel, while a trial is the actual legal process of examining evidence in court.
Another error is using tribunal interchangeably with any type of meeting or committee. Remember, a tribunal specifically has a judicial or quasi-judicial function.
To wrap up, a tribunal is a specialized court or panel with judicial authority. It stems from ancient Roman officials and has evolved into various forms of legal bodies.
Whether you’re dealing with employment disputes, international law, or special investigations, understanding the concept of a tribunal is crucial.
As you prepare for the GRE, keep in mind that this word might appear in reading comprehension passages or sentence completion questions related to law, governance, or dispute resolution.
