Fa"bi*an , a.
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.
Fa"bi*an (?), n. A member of, or sympathizer with, the Fabian Society.
Fa"bi*an (?), a. [L. Fabianus, Fabius, belonging to Fabius.]
Of, pertaining to, or in the manner of, the Roman general, Quintus Fabius Maximus Verrucosus; cautious; dilatory;
avoiding a decisive contest.
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.
Hear it pronounced