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What is an overture?

overture

 [oh-ver-cher, -choor]   Example Sentences Origin

o·ver·ture

   [oh-ver-cher, -choor] noun, verb, -tured, -tur·ing.
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.
a.
an orchestral composition forming the prelude or introduction to an opera, oratorio, etc.
b.
an independent piece of similar character.
3.
an introductory part, as of a poem; prelude; prologue.
4.
(in Presbyterian churches)
a.
the action of an ecclesiastical court in submitting a question or proposal to presbyteries.
b.
the proposal or question so submitted.
verb (used with object)
5.
to submit as an overture or proposal: to overture conditions for a ceasefire.
6.
to make an overture or proposal to: to overture one's adversary through a neutral party.

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Overture is always a great word to know.
So is eighth rest. Does it mean:
rest equivalent in duration to a whole note
rest equal in time value to an eighth note
LEARN MORE UNUSUAL WORDS WITH WORD DYNAMO...
Origin:
1300–50; Middle English < Old French; see overt, -ure; doublet of aperture

Synonyms
1. See proposal.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To overture
Example Sentences
  • A&M's overture has its roots in an old-fashioned turf battle between programs only a couple of hours apart.
  • Overture ranks ads according to how much advertisers bid.
  • There is no fear in this glance, but neither is there curiosity or any sort of social overture.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
overture (ˈəʊvəˌtjʊə)
 
—n
1.  music
 a.  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
 b.  a similar piece preceding the performance of a play
 c.  Also called: concert overture a one-movement orchestral piece, usually having a descriptive or evocative title
 d.  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
 
—vb
4.  to make or present an overture to
5.  to introduce with an overture
 
[C14: via Old French, from Late Latin apertūra opening, from Latin aperīre to open; see overt]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

overture
mid-13c., "an introductory proposal," from O.Fr. overture "opening, proposal," from L. apertura "opening," from aperire "to open, uncover" (see overt). Orchestral sense first recorded in English 1660s.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Cultural Dictionary

overture definition


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.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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