another better than he loves his wife" (act v. sc. 1).--Shakespeare,
_Comedy of Errors_ (1593).

ADRIA'NO DE ARMA'DO _(Don)_, a pompous, fantastical Spaniard, a
military braggart in a state of peace, as Parolles (3 _syl_.) was in
war. Boastful but poor; a coiner of words, but very ignorant; solemnly
grave, but ridiculously awkward; majestical in gait, but of very low
propensities.--Shakespeare, _Love's Labour Lost_ (1594).

(Said to be designed for John Florio, surnamed "The Resolute," a
philologist. Holofernes, the pedantic schoolmaster, in the same play,
is also meant in ridicule of the same lexicographer.)

You may remember, scarce five years are past
Since in your brigantine you sailed to see
The Adriatic wedded to our duke.

T. Otway, _Venice Preserved_, i. 1 (1682).

AD'RIEL, in Dryden's _Absalom and Achitophel_, the earl of Mulgrave, a
royalist.

Sharp-judging Adriel, the Muses' friend;
Himself a muse. In sanhedrim's debate
True to his prince, but not a slave to state;
Whom David's love with honours did adorn,
That from his disobedient son were torn.

Part i.