What does Overture mean?

Definitions for Overture
ˈoʊ vər tʃər, -ˌtʃʊərover·ture

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word Overture.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. overturenoun

    orchestral music played at the beginning of an opera or oratorio

  2. preliminary, overture, preludenoun

    something that serves as a preceding event or introduces what follows

    "training is a necessary preliminary to employment"; "drinks were the overture to dinner"

  3. overture, advance, approach, feelernoun

    a tentative suggestion designed to elicit the reactions of others

    "she rejected his advances"

Wiktionary

  1. overturenoun

    An opening.

  2. overturenoun

    An approach or proposal made to initiate communication, establish a relationship etc.

  3. overturenoun

    A motion placed before a legislative body, such as the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

  4. overturenoun

    a musical introduction to a piece of music which may or may not be an integral part of that piece of music.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. Overturenoun

    Etymology: ouverture, French.

    I wish
    You had only in your silent judgment try’d it,
    Without more overture. William Shakespeare, Win. Tale.

    Mac Murugh moved Henry to invade Ireland, and made an overture unto him for obtaining of the sovereign lordship thereof. John Davies, on Ireland.

    All these fair overtures, made by men well esteemed for honest dealing, could not take place. John Hayward.

    We with open breast
    Stand ready to receive them, if they like
    Our overture, and turn not back perverse. John Milton.

    The earl of Pembroke, who abhorred the war, promoted all overtures towards accommodation with great importunity. Edward Hyde.

    If a convenient supply offers itself to be seised by force or gained by fraud, human nature persuades us to hearken to the inviting overture. John Rogers, Serm. 2.

    Suppose five hundred men proposing, debating, and voting, according to their own little or much reason, abundance of indigested and abortive, many pernicious and foolish overtures would arise. Jonathan Swift.

Wikipedia

  1. Overture

    Overture (from French ouverture, lit. "opening") in music was originally the instrumental introduction to a ballet, opera, or oratorio in the 17th century. During the early Romantic era, composers such as Beethoven and Mendelssohn composed overtures which were independent, self-existing instrumental, programmatic works that foreshadowed genres such as the symphonic poem. These were "at first undoubtedly intended to be played at the head of a programme".

ChatGPT

  1. overture

    An overture is a piece of music, often instrumental, that is played at the beginning of a play, opera, or other large-scale musical work, typically introducing the melodies and themes that will be heard throughout the performance. In a broader sense, it can also mean an introduction or preliminary approach to any event, action, or situation.

Wikidata

  1. Overture

    Overture in music is the term originally applied to the instrumental introduction to an opera. During the early Romantic era, composers such as Beethoven and Mendelssohn began to use the term to refer to independent, self-existing instrumental, programmatic works that presaged genres such as the symphonic poem. These were at first no doubt intended to be played at the head of a programme.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Overture

    ō′vėr-tūr, n. a proposal, an offer for acceptance or rejection: (mus.) a piece introductory to a greater piece or ballet: a discovery or disclosure: the method in Presbyterian usage of beginning legislation and maturing opinion by sending some proposition from the presbyteries to the General Assembly, and vice versâ, also the proposal so sent.—v.t. to lay a proposal before. [Fr.]

Matched Categories

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

Anagrams for Overture »

  1. trouvère

  2. overtrue

  3. trouvere

How to pronounce Overture?

How to say Overture in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of Overture in Chaldean Numerology is: 1

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of Overture in Pythagorean Numerology is: 7

Examples of Overture in a Sentence

  1. Richard Neal:

    I think we would all be comfortable if this was done on a voluntary basis, if they would resist the overture then I think you could probably see a long and grinding court case.

  2. Matthew Thompson:

    I don’t play a lot. It’s not something that comes naturally to me, my wife is much more playful. I came home one day to find them riding brooms around the house and blaring the ‘William Tell Overture.’ I just kind of watched. I play hide-and-seek and other games, but a lot of times I just support my wife in what she and kids are already doing.

  3. Dan Rather:

    An intellectual snob is someone who can listen to the William Tell Overture and not think of The Lone Ranger.

  4. Olivier Jakob:

    Yesterday the market got somewhat excited by the editorial of the OPEC Bulletin, this was read by some market participants as making a first overture for a change of policy.

  5. Richard Milhous Nixon:

    I had never expected that the China initiative would come to fruition in the form of a Ping-Pong team. (On first friendly overture by People's Republic of China)

Popularity rank by frequency of use

Overture#10000#18638#100000

Translations for Overture

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

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"Overture." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 5 Nov. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/Overture>.

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