overture
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o·ver·ture
(ō′vər-cho͝or′)n.
1. 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.
2. An introductory section or part, as of a poem; a prelude.
3. An act, offer, or proposal that indicates readiness to undertake a course of action or open a relationship.
tr.v. o·ver·tured, o·ver·tur·ing, o·ver·tures
1. To present as an introduction or proposal.
2. To present or make an offer or proposal to.
[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- in Indo-European roots.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
overture
(ˈəʊvəˌtjʊə)n
1. (Classical Music) 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. (Literary & Literary Critical Terms) something that introduces what follows
vb (tr)
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 and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
o•ver•ture
(ˈoʊ vər tʃər, -ˌtʃʊər)n., v. -tured, -tur•ing. n.
1. an initiating move in negotiating an agreement or action; proposal; offer.
2.
a. an orchestral composition introducing a musical work, as an opera.
b. an independent piece of similar character.
3. an introductory part; prelude; prologue.
v.t. 4. to submit as an overture or proposal.
5. to make an overture or proposal to.
[1300–50; Middle English < Old French]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
overture
Past participle: overtured
Gerund: overturing
Imperative |
---|
overture |
overture |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
overture
An orchestral introduction to an opera or ballet, sometimes to a symphony, or an independent and usually programmatic concert work.
Dictionary of Unfamiliar Words by Diagram Group Copyright © 2008 by Diagram Visual Information Limited
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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Noun | 1. | overture - orchestral music played at the beginning of an opera or oratorio music - an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner |
2. | overture - something that serves as a preceding event or introduces what follows; "training is a necessary preliminary to employment"; "drinks were the overture to dinner" inception, origination, origin - an event that is a beginning; a first part or stage of subsequent events | |
3. | overture - a tentative suggestion designed to elicit the reactions of others; "she rejected his advances" proffer, proposition, suggestion - a proposal offered for acceptance or rejection; "it was a suggestion we couldn't refuse" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
overture
noun
1. (Music) prelude, opening, introduction, introductory movement the William Tell Overture
prelude finale, coda
prelude finale, coda
2. (usually plural) approach, offer, advance, proposal, appeal, invitation, tender, proposition, opening move, conciliatory move He had begun to make clumsy yet endearing overtures of friendship.
approach withdrawal, rejection
approach withdrawal, rejection
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
overture
noun1. A short section of preliminary remarks:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
مُقَدِّمَة أو إفْتِتاحِيَّةٌ موسيقِيَّه
ouverture
nyitány
forleikur
uvertiūra
uvertīra
overture
[ˈəʊvətjʊəʳ] N1. (Mus) → obertura f
2. (fig) to make overtures to sb (Pol, Comm) → hacer una propuesta a algn; (sexual) → hacer insinuaciones a algn
they had made overtures to Pan Am, but without success → le hicieron una propuesta a Pan Am, pero no se llegó a nada
the government made peace overtures to the rebels → el gobierno les hizo una propuesta de paz a los rebeldes
they had made overtures to Pan Am, but without success → le hicieron una propuesta a Pan Am, pero no se llegó a nada
the government made peace overtures to the rebels → el gobierno les hizo una propuesta de paz a los rebeldes
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
overture
[ˈəʊvərtʃʊər] n (= music) → ouverture f
(verbal) → ouverture f
peace overtures → des ouvertures de paix
overtures of friendship → des offres d'amitié
to make overtures to sb (= approaches) → faire des ouvertures à qn
peace overtures → des ouvertures de paix
overtures of friendship → des offres d'amitié
to make overtures to sb (= approaches) → faire des ouvertures à qn
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
overture
n
(Mus) → Ouvertüre f
usu pl (= approach) → Annäherungsversuch m; to make overtures to somebody → Annäherungsversuche bei jdm machen; peace overtures → Friedensannäherungen pl
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
overture
[ˈəʊvəˌtjʊəʳ] na. (Mus) → ouverture f inv
b. to make overtures to sb (fig) (friendly) → comportarsi amichevolmente verso qn; (romantic) → tentare un approccio con qn, fare delle avances a qn
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
overture
(ˈəuvətjuə) noun a piece of music played as an introduction to an opera etc.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.