Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun The time of the creation of the world in Australian Aboriginal mythology.

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Translation of Aranda (Pama-Nyungan language of central Australia) aljerreŋe, in the dreamtime : aljerre, dream + -ŋe, from, of.]

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Examples

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  • Indigenous Australian term, "most often refers to the 'time before time,' or 'the time of the creation of all things.'" (from Australian Museum Online website: http://www.dreamtime.net.au/)

    February 7, 2007

  • Apparently this should now be referred to as "The Dreaming" »

    May 11, 2008