Overture

/ˈəʊvətjʊə/ · noun

Meaning

(obsolete) An opening; a recess or chamber..

Definitions by Sense

1. (obsolete) An opening; a recess or chamber.
2. (obsolete) Disclosure; discovery; revelation.
3. (often in plural) An approach or proposal made to initiate communication, establish a relationship etc.
4. (Scotland) A motion placed before a legislative body, such as the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
5. (music) A musical introduction to a longer piece of music or a dramatic work (such as a play, an opera, or a motion picture).
6. (music) A medley of themes from a larger work, such as an opera or musical, typically played at the beginning but sometimes played at any part of the work or performed as a standalone piece.
7. (intransitive) To make overtures; to approach with a proposal.
8. (heraldry, nonstandard) Overt, that is, disclosed.

Example Sentences

c. 1612', George Chapman, A Hymne to Hermes the cave's inmost overture

It was he That made the overture of thy treasons to us.

overture of friendship

Shortly afterwards the North Eastern Railway made overtures for the purchase of the Blyth & Tyne system, and the directors of the latter were then disposed to sell, but, in view of their excellent dividend record, stood out for a good price.

Sarkozy gave a defiant speech, going on the offensive and betraying no hint of having been beaten. He styled the result as a "crisis" vote, by a French population which was "suffering". In a clear overture to Le Pen's voters, and the extreme-right motto of loving France, he said: "I call on all French people who put love of their country above partisan considerations, to unite and join me."

My mother had no choice; one did not turn down such an overture from the regent.

The overture was almost at a close; and silence being now more effective than any thing that he could urge in favour of the play, Courtenaye went behind the scenes:...

The paradoxical use of an overture at the end of a concert occasionally gave rise to satire in the musical press.

Synonyms for overture

Antonyms for overture

Related Words

Word Forms

• overtures
• overturing
• overtured

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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