overture

o·ver·ture

Use overture in a sentence

noun

An overture is defined as the musical opening to an opera or classical concert.
An example of an overture is the opening piece of music to Mozart's opera The Marriage of Figaro.
The definition of an overture is an introduction, or an action that shows someone might be ready to take a certain action.
An example of an overture is a suggestion that two people in disagreement seek mediation.

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"overture." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 14 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/overture>.

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overture. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/overture

overture

an introductory proposal or offer; indication of willingness to negotiate
1. a musical introduction to an opera or other large musical work
2. an independent orchestral composition of varying form
in Presbyterian churches, a proposal or question submitted as by the general assembly to the presbyteries
any introductory section

Origin of overture

ME, an opening from Old French from Vulgar Latin an unverified form opertura from Classical Latin apertura, aperture

transitive verb

-·tured, -·tur·ing

to present as an overture

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MLA Style

"overture." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 14 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/overture>.

APA Style

overture. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/overture

overture

noun

Music
a. An instrumental composition intended especially as an introduction to an extended work, such as an opera or oratorio.
b. A similar orchestral work intended for independent concert performance.
An introductory section or part, as of a poem; a prelude.
An act, offer, or proposal that indicates readiness to undertake a course of action or open a relationship.

transitive verb

o·ver·tured, o·ver·tur·ing, o·ver·tures

To present as an introduction or proposal.
To present or make an offer or proposal to.

Origin of overture

Middle English opening from Old French from Vulgar Latin ōpertūra alteration ( influenced by Latin cōperīre to cover ) of Latin apertūra from apertus past participle of aperīre to open ; see wer-⁴ in Indo-European roots.

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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MLA Style

"overture." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 14 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/overture>.

APA Style

overture. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/overture

Noun

(plural overtures)

(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 piece of music. [from 17th c.]

Related terms

overt

Origin

From Anglo-Norman, Middle French overture, from Old French overture.

English Wiktionary. Available under CC-BY-SA license.

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MLA Style

"overture." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 14 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/overture>.

APA Style

overture. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/overture

overture - Computer Definition

A pioneer in keyword advertising on the Web. Founded in 1997 as GoTo.com, Pasadena, California-based Overture Services was one of the first Web search engines that included relevant ads on the results page based on the words being searched. If the user clicked an ad, the advertiser was charged the amount it bid for placement. The amount was also displayed, allowing competitors to bid more and move higher on the results page. In early 2003, Overture acquired the AltaVista and AlltheWeb search engines (AltaVista was one of the first search engines on the Web). In late 2003, Overture became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Yahoo and was renamed Yahoo Search Marketing in 2005. See keyword advertising.

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