Category:Overture

O"ver*ture, etym: [of. overture, f. ouverture, fr. Of. ovrir, f. Ouvrir. See overt.]

1. An opening or aperture; a recess; a recess; a chamber. [obs.] Spenser. "the cave's inmost overture." Chapman.

2. Disclosure; discovery; revelation. [obs.] It was he that made the overture of thy treasons to us. Shak.

3. A proposal; an offer; a proposition formally submitted for Consideration, acceptance, or rejection. "the great overture of the Gospel." Barrow.

4. (mus.)

Defn: 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.

Overture O"ver*ture, v. t.

Defn: to make an overture to; as, to overture a religious body on Some subject.