overture

== English == === Etymology === From Middle English overture, from Anglo-Norman, Middle French overture, from Old French overture, from Latin apertūra. Doublet of aperture. === Pronunciation === (UK) IPA(key): /ˈəʊvətjʊə/, /ˈəʊvətʃ(ʊ)ə/ (US) IPA(key): /ˈoʊvəɹt͡ʃəɹ/ === Noun === overture (plural overtures) (obsolete) An opening; a recess or chamber. [15th–19th c.] c. 1612', George Chapman, A Hymne to Hermes the cave's inmost overture (obsolete) Disclosure; discovery; revelation. (often in plural) An approach or proposal made to initiate communication, establish a relationship etc. [from 15th c.] (Scotland) A motion placed before a legislative body, such as the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. [from 16th c.] (music) A musical introduction to a longer piece of music or a dramatic work (such as a play, an opera, or a motion picture). [from 17th c.] (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. ==== Antonyms ==== (antonym(s) of “opening of a piece of music”): coda ==== Related terms ==== overt ==== Translations ==== === Verb === overture (third-person singular simple present overtures, present participle overturing, simple past and past participle overtured) (intransitive) To make overtures; to approach with a proposal. === Adjective === overture (not comparable) (heraldry, nonstandard) Overt, that is, disclosed. === Anagrams === trouvère == Old French == === Etymology === overt +‎ -ure, from ovrir (“to open”), or from Vulgar Latin *opertūra, from Latin apertūra. === Noun === overture oblique singular, f (oblique plural overtures, nominative singular overture, nominative plural overtures) an opening Par l'overture s'en saut hors. (Tristan, Béroul) He jumped out through the opening. ==== Descendants ==== Middle French: overture French: ouverture (see there for further descendants) → Middle English: English: overture