Collins English-English Dictionary

overture ['əυvə,tjυə]

1. 1. n concert overture a one-movement orchestral piece, usually having a descriptive or evocative title

2. 2. n [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

3. 3. n a similar piece preceding the performance of a play

4. 4. n a short piece in three movements (French overture or Italian overture) common in the 17th and 18th centuries

5. 5. n [often plural] a proposal, act, or gesture initiating a relationship, negotiation, etc

6. 6. n something that introduces what follows

7. 7. vt. [tr] to make or present an overture to

8. 8. vt. to introduce with an overture

9. 9. vt. [Etymology] C14: via Old French, from Late Latin apertura opening, from Latin aperire to open; see overt