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View synonyms for

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)

overtured, overturing.
  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

/ ˈəʊəˌʊə /

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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to make or present an overture to
  2. to introduce with an overture
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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 .
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Word History and Origins

Origin of overture1

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

Origin of overture1

C14: via Old French, from Late Latin ū opening, from Latin ī to open; see overt
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Synonym Study

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Meta has been making regular overtures to Trump since his election.

From

In an overture to Trump, Apple’s Cook had committed in February to spend $500 billion on manufacturing and engineering in the United States over the next four years.

From

She still hopes one day for a relationship with Kercher's family, who have repeatedly rejected her overtures, a situation she calls "an unaddressed wound."

From

"So when it comes to these grand overtures towards India, there's no real love; it's just business," he adds.

From

In fairness, Trump is arguably following up on overtures from Zelensky last year to the Biden administration for U.S.-Ukraine cooperation in developing his country’s minerals and energy riches.

From

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