OVERTURE • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Overture

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/ˈoʊvərtʃər/ Listen

Overture

noun

Orchestral music played at the beginning of an opera or oratorio.

Something that serves as a preceding event or introduces what follows. Synonyms: preliminary, prelude. "Drinks were the overture to dinner"

A tentative suggestion designed to elicit the reactions of others. Synonyms: advance, approach, feeler.

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Etymology of 'Overture'

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"Overture" Quotes from Famous Books

... treasury. The Courts of Petersburg and Vienna have offered their mediation. The King has answered, that it will be personally agreeable to him, but that he could not accept it as yet, because he has allies whose concurrence is necessary. Dr Franklin is requested to acquaint Congress of this overture and the answer, and to engage them to send their instructions to their Plenipotentiaries. It is supposed that Congress ...

— The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. IX • Various

... After 'Turkey in the Straw,' the orchestra struck up something quick and devilish, which Charley Hedrick, who played the snare drum at Gettysburg, and is therefore entitled to speak on musical subjects, says was 'The Irish Washerwoman.' After this appropriate overture the curtain rose and ...

— In Our Town • William Allen White

... Sir Matthew Dudley, and in the evening went to sit with Mr. Addison, and offer the matter at distance to him, as the discreeter person; but found party had so possessed him, that he talked as if he suspected me, and would not fall in with anything I said. So I stopped short in my overture, and we parted very drily; and I shall say nothing to Steele, and let them do as they will; but, if things stand as they are, he will certainly lose it, unless I save him; and therefore I will not ...

— The Journal to Stella • Jonathan Swift

... very deferential, gathered wood for you and carried water. Yesterday there was a freshly killed deer at the door of the wigwam. It is the first shy overture ...

— Diane of the Green Van • Leona Dalrymple

... I know how abruptly this chosen calm of my life was to be broken nor how these same studies were to be turned in a new and strange direction. But if on this night which was to witness the overture of a horrible drama, I had not hitherto experienced any premonition of the coming of those dark forces which were to change the whole tenor of my existence, suddenly, now, in sight of the elm tree which stood before my cottage ...

— The Green Eyes of Bast • Sax Rohmer

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