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.
Music.
an orchestral composition forming the prelude or introduction to an opera, oratorio, etc.
an independent piece of similar character.
an introductory part, as of a poem; prelude; prologue.
(in Presbyterian churches)
the action of an ecclesiastical court in submitting a question or proposal to presbyteries.
the proposal or question so submitted.
verb (used with object),o·ver·tured,o·ver·tur·ing.
to submit as an overture or proposal: to overture conditions for a ceasefire.
to make an overture or proposal to: to overture one's adversary through a neutral party.
Origin of overture
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Old French; see overt, -ure; doublet of aperture
Despite the president’s overtures, many church groups continue to meet in person.
South Korea’s Religious Right Torpedoes the Fight Against COVID-19|Fiona Zublin|September 24, 2020|Ozy
The city initially rejected overtures to buy the building because Doug Manchester, a supporter of Mayor Kevin Faulconer, owned a stake in the building, and his involvement could invite accusations for the mayor.
VOSD Podcast: Mailing it in|Sara Libby|August 14, 2020|Voice of San Diego
In spite of such overtures, they did play their role in defending many of the important frontier castles.
History of the Crusades: Origins, Politics, and Crusaders|Dattatreya Mandal|March 23, 2020|Realm of History
And the opening ballet between the overture and "Runyonland" wasn't working; it was out, it was back in, it was out again.
New York’s Greatest Show Or How They Did Not Screw Up ‘Guys and Dolls’|Ross Wetzsteon|April 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Encouragingly, it seems the group was actually rewarded for this overture.
A Watershed Week For Jerusalem’s Women|Sigal Samuel|May 10, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Bob Woodward's scoop today about Roger Ailes's overture to David Petraeus is well worth your time.
Ailes and Petraeus|Michael Tomasky|December 4, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Wicoff adds, “Sometimes the people with the most unassailable credits as a conservative can be the ones to make the overture.”
Pat Lykos: Texas' Capital Punishment Avenger|Ben Crair|April 4, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The New York Times: On the World Stage, Obama Issues an Overture Portrait of the president as a young statesman.
How'd Obama Do at the G-20?|The Daily Beast|April 3, 2009|DAILY BEAST
The business men of the place had already made this overture to me.
Personal Recollections of Pardee Butler|Pardee Butler
The overture was a surprise to them, as it was to all but the two or three behind the scenes.
Hope Benham|Nora Perry
I felt it a duty to respond to this overture, and did so, both privately and publicly.
Recollections of a Long Life|John Stoughton
The air, "Sieni moi Sieni," was played again by way of overture, and the curtain again went up.
The House of the Dead or Prison Life in Siberia|Fyodor Dostoyevsky
The finale to the first act, in which the leading motives of the overture were introduced, called forth enthusiastic applause.
The Great Musicians: Rossini and His School|Henry Sutherland Edwards
British Dictionary definitions for overture
overture
/ (ˈəʊvəˌtjʊə) /
noun
music
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
a similar piece preceding the performance of a play
Also called: concert overturea one-movement orchestral piece, usually having a descriptive or evocative title
a short piece in three movements (French overture or Italian overture) common in the 17th and 18th centuries
(often plural)a proposal, act, or gesture initiating a relationship, negotiation, etc
something that introduces what follows
verb(tr)
to make or present an overture to
to introduce with an overture
Word Origin for overture
C14: via Old French, from Late Latin apertūra opening, from Latin aperīre to open; see overt