Fabius, fa'be-us, a noted Roman commander, called also Maximus the Great and Cunctator the Delayer. As a Roman schoolboy he is said to have been nicknamed "Warts" from a wart on his upper lip. He died 203 B. C. Fabius held military command on several critical occasions. He was five times consul, twice censor, and once dictator. His chief service was rendered in opposing the advance of Hannibal after the battle of Thrasymenus. Not feeling strong enough to meet the Carthaginian in open battle, he hovered about, striking at every exposed point, wearying and delaying the troops of Hannibal until they were worn out with marching and countermarching. In this way the season passed. Hannibal lost a golden opportunity of marching on Rome. During the campaigns of 1776-7, when the British overran New Jersey, Washington adopted the Fabian policy of harassing and delaying the enemy, making now and then a sudden attack, as in the case of the battle of Trenton. He is called sometimes the American Fabius. See HANNIBAL.