4  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Fabian  \Fa"bi*an\,  n. 
  A  member  of  or  sympathizer  with  the  Fabian  Society. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Fabian  \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. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Fabian  \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. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  Fabian 
  adj  1:  of  or  relating  to  Fabianism;  "the  Fabian  society"  [syn:  {Fabian}] 
  2:  using  cautious  slow  strategy  to  wear  down  opposition; 
  avoiding  direct  confrontation;  "a  fabian  policy"  [syn:  {dilatory}] 
  n  :  a  member  of  the  Fabian  Society  in  Britain  [syn:  {Fabian}] 

browse words by letter
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z
or search   thesauri dictionary search words