E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Emil’ia (in Shakespeare’s Othello).
Wife of Iago. She is induced by her husband to purloin Desdemona’s handkerchief, which Iago conveys to Cassio’s chamber, and tells the Moor that Desdemo’na had given it to the lieutenant as a love-token. At the death of Desdemona, Emilia (who, till then, never suspected the real state of the case) reveals the fact, and Iago kills her.
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Emil’ia. The sweetheart of Peregrine Pickle, in Smollett’s novel.
