Fabian — Defs

01 a. Of, pertaining to, or in the manner of, the Roman general, Quintus Fabius Maximus Verrucosus; cautious; dilatory; avoiding a decisive contest.

1.
Of, pertaining to, or in the manner of, the Roman general, Quintus Fabius Maximus Verrucosus; cautious; dilatory; avoiding a decisive contest.

Phrases & compounds

Fabian policy — a policy like that of Fabius Maximus, who, by carefully avoiding decisive contests, foiled Hannibal, harassing his army by marches, countermarches, and ambuscades; a policy of delays and cautions.

02 a. Of or pertaining to the Roman gens Fabia.

1.
Of or pertaining to the Roman gens Fabia.
2.
Designating, or pertaining to, a society of socialists, organized in England in 1884 to spread socialistic principles gradually without violent agitation.
“The Fabian Society proposes then to conquer by delay; to carry its programme, not by a hasty rush, but through the slower, but, as it thinks, surer methods of patient discussion, exposition, and political action.” — William Clarke.

03 n. A member of, or sympathizer with, the Fabian Society.

1.
A member of, or sympathizer with, the Fabian Society.