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

Though his overtures were rebuffed, he remained committed, even after his Emancipation Proclamation of 1863, to promoting state-by-state abolition.

From Washington Post

Activists with whom the Washington Blade has previously spoken say church teachings on homosexuality and gender identity remains unchanged despite these overtures.

From Washington Blade

Despite the president’s overtures, many church groups continue to meet in person.

From Ozy

The city initially rejected overtures to buy the building because Doug Manchester, a supporter of Mayor Kevin Faulconer, owned a stake in the building, and his involvement could invite accusations for the mayor.

From Voice of San Diego

In spite of such overtures, they did play their role in defending many of the important frontier castles.

From Realm of History

Every night on the radio, The Lone Ranger came on, and we learned to love the sound of the William Tell Overture.

From The Daily Beast

And the opening ballet between the overture and "Runyonland" wasn't working; it was out, it was back in, it was out again.

From The Daily Beast

And he should publicly reject any Iranian military overture of assistance.

From The Daily Beast

Encouragingly, it seems the group was actually rewarded for this overture.

From The Daily Beast

Bob Woodward's scoop today about Roger Ailes's overture to David Petraeus is well worth your time.

From The Daily Beast

The overture is over, the curtain is about to rise on the drama of Georgie's married life.

From Project Gutenberg

Nowadays many organists find it possible to play the Overture to Tannhauser; the writer pleads guilty himself.

From Project Gutenberg

He had composed a string quartet in B major, and an overture in F major.

From Project Gutenberg

I am very busy (upon the orchestration of the C minor overture composed during the summer).

From Project Gutenberg

The overture in C minor, referred to in this letter, was submitted to Nicholas Rubinstein a few days later.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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