The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word FABIAN
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
F
A
B
I
A
N
More clues leading to the result FABIAN
- Â Excellent upright character with article favouring gradual change
- Socialist supporter securing a British isle
- Leftie somewhat short, if hugged by supporter
- Leaders in fact are being indecisive and needlessly cautious
- Soccer bosses forbid recruiting one favouring the left
- Socialist’s great man?
- Socialist prejudice all but admitted by enthusiast
- Scotsman goes after great socialist
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Socialist" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case socialist = fabian.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does FABIAN mean?
FABIAN adjective- Pertaining to or reminiscent of Roman general Fabius Maximus, whose tactics against Hannibal during the Second Punic War famously consisted of delaying or avoiding combat, focusing instead on weakening the enemy by cutting off supply lines.
- Advocating that social reforms be reached through a series of gradual and moderate stages rather than sudden revolution; specifically, relating to the Fabian Society, a British socialist society advocating reformist socialism.
- (by extension) cautious; dilatory; avoiding a decisive contest.