overture

[ oh-ver-cher, -choor ]

noun

1. an opening or initiating move toward negotiations, a new relationship, an agreement, etc.; a formal or informal proposal or offer:

   overtures of peace; a shy man who rarely made overtures of friendship.

2. Music.
   1. an orchestral composition forming the prelude or introduction to an opera, oratorio, etc.
   2. an independent piece of similar character.
3. an introductory part, as of a poem; prelude; prologue.
4. (in Presbyterian churches)
   1. the action of an ecclesiastical court in submitting a question or proposal to presbyteries.
   2. the proposal or question so submitted.

verb (used with object)

, o·ver·tured, o·ver·tur·ing.

1. to submit as an overture or proposal:

   to overture conditions for a ceasefire.

2. to make an overture or proposal to:

   to overture one's adversary through a neutral party.

overture

/ ˈəʊvəˌtjʊə /

noun

1. music
   1. a piece of orchestral music containing contrasting sections that is played at the beginning of an opera or oratorio, often containing the main musical themes of the work
   2. a similar piece preceding the performance of a play
   3. Also calledconcert overture a one-movement orchestral piece, usually having a descriptive or evocative title
   4. a short piece in three movements ( French overture or Italian overture ) common in the 17th and 18th centuries
2. often plural a proposal, act, or gesture initiating a relationship, negotiation, etc
3. something that introduces what follows

verb

1. to make or present an overture to
2. to introduce with an overture

overture

1. A piece of music for instruments alone, written as an introduction to a longer work, such as an opera , an oratorio , or a musical comedy .

Word History and Origins

Origin of overture¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Old French; overt, -ure; doublet of aperture

Word History and Origins

Origin of overture¹

C14: via Old French, from Late Latin apertūra opening, from Latin aperīre to open; see overt

Synonym Study

See proposal.

Example Sentences

Similarly, Brett McGurk, Biden’s chief emissary to the Middle East, tells Woodward that, several times during the cease-fire talks, Hamas’ political leaders, who live in Qatar or Egypt, agreed to a deal—but they had to get approval from Hamas’ real leader, Yahya Sinwar, who has remained hiding in the Gazan tunnels and who rejected every overture.

From Slate

Bottom as represented in Mendelssohn’s overture is jaguar-like.

From Los Angeles Times

The U.S. government has a responsibility to follow up on every lead, and respond to every overture.

From Salon

And last week he extended that overture, calling Kemp “fantastic” at a visit in Savannah before the hurricane hit.

From Los Angeles Times

While much will be made of the film’s 3½-hour running time, which includes an overture and intermission, it never strains under its own weight.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bid
• invitation
• presentation
• proposal
• proposition
• signal
• suggestion