Fab'ila, a king devoted to the chase. One day he encountered a wild boar, and commanded those who rode with him not to interfere, but the boar overthrew him and gored him to death.—Chronica Antiqua de España, 121.
Fa'bius (The American), George Washington (1732-1799).
Fa'bius (The French), Anne, duc de Montmorency, grand-constable of France (1493-1567).
Fabricius [Fa.brish'.e.us], an old Roman, like Cincinnatus and Curius Dentatus, a type of the rigid purity, frugality, and honesty of the "good old times." Pyrrhus used every effort to corrupt him by bribes, or to terrify him, but in vain. "Excellent Fabricius," cried the Greek, "one might hope to turn the sun from its course as soon as turn Fabricius from the path of duty."
Fabric'ius, an author, whose composition was so obscure that Gil Blas could not comprehend the meaning of a single line of his writings. His poetry was verbose fustian, and his prose a maze of far-fetched expressions and perplexed phrases.
Fabrit'io, a merry soldier, the friend of Captain Jac'omo the woman-hater.—Beaumont and Fletcher, The Captain (1613).
Face (1 syl.), alias "Jeremy," house-servant of Lovewit. During the absence of his master, Face leagues with Subtle (the alchemist) and Dol Common to turn a penny by alchemy, fortune-telling, and magic. Subtle (a beggar who knew something about alchemy) was discovered by Face near Pye Corner. Assuming the philosopher's garb and wand, he called himself "doctor;" Face, arrogating the title of "captain," touted for dupes; while Dol Common kept the house, and aided the other two in their general scheme of deception. On the unexpected return of Lovewit, the whole thing blew up, but Face was forgiven, and continued in his place as house-servant.—Ben Jonson, The Alchemist (1619).
Facto'tum (Johannes), one employed to do all sorts of work for another; one in whom another confides for all the odds and ends of his household management or business.
He is an absolute Johannes Factotum, at least in his own conceit.—Greene, Groat's-worth of Wit (1692).
Faddle (William), a "fellow made up of knavery and noise, with scandal for wit and impudence for raillery. He was so needy that the very devil might have bought him for a guinea." Sir Charles Raymond says to him: