Forum (?), n.; pl. E. Forums (#), L. Fora (#). [L.; akin to foris, foras, out of doors. See Foreign.] 1. A market place or public place in Rome, where causes were judicially tried, and orations delivered to the people.
[1913 Webster]

2. A tribunal; a court; an assembly empowered to hear and decide causes.
[1913 Webster]

He [Lord Camden] was . . . more eminent in the senate than in the forum. Brougham.
[1913 Webster]