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

/ 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 called: concert 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

However, people close to Beijing said Xi made the outreach, turning the high-level communication into a rare diplomatic overture from China.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Discovery Chief Executive David Zaslav and the company’s board have unanimously rejected three earlier overtures from Paramount’s David Ellison, including a largely cash $23.50 a share offer, deeming it too low.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Zhan fields a steady stream of overtures from big banks, and Wellesley’s career office tends to heavily promote jobs at financial and consulting firms.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It came after Lebanese President Joseph Aoun accused Israel of rebuffing its overtures for diplomacy.

Read more on Barron's

Bloomberg reported that SoftBank made an “overture” to Marvell several months ago, but that the two sides couldn’t agree on terms.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

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