The spelling of "dreams of" is fairly straightforward in English. The initial sound is a voiced dental fricative /ð/ for the "d" followed by the voiced alveolar stop /r/ for the "r" sound. The "ea" in "dreams" is pronounced as a diphthong /iː/ + /ə/ and the "o" in "of" is pronounced as a monophthong /ɒ/. Together, the word is pronounced as /driːmz ɒv/. This common phrase is used to express aspirations or desires that one has while sleeping or during their waking life.
"Dreams of" refers to the aspirations, desires, or goals that someone envisions or hopes to achieve in their future. It typically conveys the notion of having ambitious or imaginative thoughts about what one wishes to accomplish or experience.
Dreams of can encompass a wide range of possibilities, including personal, professional, or creative aspirations. These could include dreams of success, fame, wealth, love, adventure, or self-fulfillment. It embodies the idea of having a vision or a longing for a certain outcome or life situation that one imagines or wishes to bring into reality.
The phrase "dreams of" signifies the subjective and often intangible nature of these ambitions, highlighting their connection to one's imagination or subconscious desires. Dreams of often spur individuals to set goals, strive for improvement, or make plans to pursue these visions in a deliberate manner.
However, it's important to note that dreams of can differ from mere fantasies or wishful thinking. While dreams of similarly involve the realm of the imagined or unactualized, they often evoke a stronger sense of personal commitment and motivation to work towards attaining these desired outcomes. Dreams of typically involve some level of belief in their achievability, prompting individuals to take action and make efforts to transform these aspirations into reality.
The etymology of the phrase "dreams of" can be traced back to Old English and its Germanic roots. The word "dream" originated from the Old English noun "drēam" (or "draem"), which referred to a joyous or pleasant state of mind. This Old English noun is believed to have derived from the Proto-Germanic word "*draugmaz" or "*draugiz", meaning "merriment" or "pleasantness".
The preposition "of" has an even older origin, dating back to pre-Old English times. It can be traced to the Proto-Germanic preposition "*ub" or "*af". Over time, as the English language developed, it underwent phonetic changes, leading to the modern-day form "of". The preposition "of" signifies a relation between the noun "dream" and its object, indicating the content or subject of the dream.