\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.

\Fa"bi*an\, n.
A member of, or sympathizer with, the Fabian Society.

\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.