I. ˈdrēm noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English dreem, from Old English drēam noise, joy, music, probably influenced in meaning by Old Norse draumr dream; probably akin to Old High German troum dream, Old Norse draumr, Greek thrylos noise, din, Latvian duñduris gadfly, wasp — more at drone
1.
a. : a series of thoughts, images, or emotions occurring during sleep : a semblance of reality or events occurring to one asleep
b. psychoanalysis : condensed, elaborated, symbolized, or otherwise distorted images of memories or of unconscious impulses experienced especially during sleep but also during other lapses in attention the meaning of which is concealed from the ego ; also : the verbal or written report of such images or experiences
2. : an experience of waking life having the characteristics of a dream: as
a. : a visionary creation of the imagination : daydream
the dreams of youth
b. : a state of mind marked by abstraction or release from the sense of reality : reverie
lives in a dream , oblivious of all practical concerns
c. : an object seen in a dreamlike state : vision
if you be what I think you, some sweet dream — Alfred Tennyson
3. : something that is notable for its beauty, excellence, or enjoyable quality
she wore a dream of a dress
it was a dream of a trip
the food is marvelous … and the setting is an absolute dream — T.H.Fielding
4. : a major aim, goal, or purpose the attainment of which is ardently desired or longed for : ideal
the shore thou foundest verifies thy dream — Walt Whitman
the dream of … an empire stretching to the Pacific — R.W.Van Alstyne
achieved her dream of becoming a professional writer — Current Biography
Synonyms: see fancy
II. verb
( dreamed ˈdrem(p)t, -ēmd ; or dreamt -em(p)t ; dreamed or dreamt ; dreaming -ēmiŋ ; dreams -ēmz)
Etymology: Middle English dremen, from dreem, n.
intransitive verb
1. : to have a dream : have ideas or images in the mind while asleep
there are very normal people who dream nightly — Otto Fenichel
she dreamed of taking a trip and awoke with a feeling of excitement
2. : to let the mind run on in idle reverie : give oneself over to effortless thought especially of a fanciful nature
the tendency of the population to dream about their ancient glory rather than struggle with contemporary facts — Samuel Van Valkenburg & Ellsworth Huntington
dreaming of renown to come — Charles Kingsley
3. : to wish for something ardently or yearningly : long : scheme, plan, or aspire for the attainment of some object — usually used with of
she dreamed of becoming a language teacher — Gertrude Samuels
those powers who dream of further aggrandizement in the East
4. : to appear tranquil or dreamy : be suggestive of or give an impression of tranquility or dreaming
quaint historic villages where pre-Revolutionary houses dream in leafy shadows — Gladys Taber
the pale dreaming sky — Dorothy C. Fisher
transitive verb
1. : to have a dream of : imagine in sleep : think of or seem to have a sensory impression of while asleep
your old men shall dream dreams — Acts 2:17 (Revised Standard Version)
according to Descartes a dreamer supposes that what he dreams are real objects and incidents — Margaret Macdonald
I dreamt that I dwelt in marble halls — Alfred Bunn
2. : to consider as a possibility : conceive of : imagine
little dreaming that I could park my car, climb down the bank, set up my rod and catch big trout — Joseph Novick
the great new country whose expanse they did not dream — Meridel Le Sueur
3. : to pass (time) in reverie or inaction — usually used with away
he dreamed his life away
•
- dream of
III. adjective
Etymology: dream (I)
1. : of, relating to, involved in, or resembling a dream
2. : experienced in a dream
dream myths of the Mohave, that are sung by the person who has dreamt the myth — Edward Sapir
3. : appropriate to a pleasant dream : marked by as desirable qualities as can be imagined : approaching perfection or the ideal
win a dream holiday in Europe
he is the dream competitor — the one in 10,000 who has the temperament to match the talent — Time
a display of dream cars