Fabian
adjectivenounproper nounattested in dialogue
- United Kingdom//ˈfeɪ.biː.ən//
- Canada//ˈfeɪ.bi.ən//
- Australia//ˈfæɪ.biː.ən//
- Scotland//ˈfe.bi.ən//
Pertaining to or reminiscent of Roman general Fabius Maximus, whose tactics against Hannibal during the Second Punic War famously consisted of delaying or avoiding combat, focusing instead on weakening the enemy by cutting off supply lines.
adjective
- 1
Pertaining to or reminiscent of Roman general Fabius Maximus, whose tactics against Hannibal during the Second Punic War famously consisted of delaying or avoiding combat, focusing instead on weakening the enemy by cutting off supply lines.
Hood complained behind his commander's back to Richmond of Johnston's Fabian strategy.
- 2
Advocating that social reforms be reached through a series of gradual and moderate stages rather than sudden revolution; specifically, relating to the Fabian Society, a British socialist society advocating reformist socialism.
- 3
Cautious; dilatory; avoiding a decisive contest.
Etymology
From Latin Fabiānus (“belonging to Fabius”), derived from Fabius + -ānus.
noun
- 1
A Fabian socialist, a gradualist socialist; a member of the Fabian Society.
proper noun
- 1
rareA male given name from Latin.
- 2
A surname.
Forms
- plural
- Fabians
- comparative
- more Fabian
- superlative
- most Fabian
Fabian · Pertaining to or reminiscent of Roman general Fabius Maximus, whose tactics against Hannibal during the Second Punic War famously consisted of…
Fabio · A surname.fabric · The physical material of a building.fabulous · Of or relating to fable, myth or legend.