Fabian

adjective

Fa·​bi·​an ˈfā-bē-ən How to pronounce Fabian (audio)
1
a
: of, relating to, or in the manner of the Roman general Quintus Fabius Maximus known for his defeat of Hannibal in the Second Punic War by the avoidance of decisive contests
2
[the Fabian Society; from the members' belief in slow rather than revolutionary change in government] : of, relating to, or being a society of socialists organized in England in 1884 to spread socialist principles gradually
Fabian noun
Fabianism noun

Word History

First Known Use

1638, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of Fabian was in 1638

Dictionary Entries Near Fabian

Cite this Entry

“Fabian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Fabian. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!