OVERTURE

overture. Overture, n. an opening, proposal, piece of music

---

O″ver‐ture (?), [[OF. overture, F. ouverture, fr. OF. ovrir, F. ouvrir. See Overt.]] 1. 1. An opening or aperture; a recess; a chamber. Spenser. “The cave's inmost overture.” Chapman.
2. 2. Disclosure; discovery; revelation.
It was he That made the overture of thy treasons to us. Shak. 3. 3. A proposal; an offer; a proposition formally submitted for consideration, acceptance, or rejection. “The great overture of the gospel.” Barrow.
4. 4. (Mus.) A composition, for a full orchestra, designed as an introduction to an oratorio, opera, or ballet, or as an independent piece; — called in the latter case a concert overture.