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overture

Syllabification: (o·ver·ture)

Definition of overture

1an introduction to something more substantial:the talks were no more than an overture to a long debate
(usually overtures) an approach or proposal made to someone with the aim of opening negotiations or establishing a relationship:Coleen listened to his overtures of love

2 Music an orchestral piece at the beginning of an opera, suite, play, oratorio, or other extended composition.
an independent orchestral composition in one movement.

Origin:

late Middle English (in the sense 'aperture'): from Old French, from Latin apertura 'aperture'

Definition of overture in the British & World English dictionary

Nearby words