Overture

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈəʊvətjʊə/

Definitions

1. An instrumental introduction to an opera, ballet, or musical, or an initial approach or proposal intended to initiate negotiations or establish a relationship
2. A piece of music played at the beginning of a theatrical or musical work to set the mood ; a first step or gesture made to start discussions or form a reciprocal relationship
3. An orchestral opening that introduces themes in an opera or ballet ; an offer made early in talks to encourage agreement or cooperation

Etymology: The English word "overture" began life as a physical opening. Its Latin ancestor "apertura" meant "an opening" or "a making open," from "aperire," "to open," and that sense of a gap or passage carried through French into English. The musical meaning came much later: the orchestral introduction to an opera or play was named for the idea of an opening move, the piece that opens the show. The word reached English through Middle English "overture," borrowed from Anglo-Norman and Middle French, which in turn came from Old French "overture." Along the way it kept its sense of an opening gesture, a first approach made to someone, which is why the word still carries a hint of tentative invitation when used for negotiations: a company makes an overture to a rival. "Overture" is a doublet of "aperture," meaning the two words descend from the same Latin source but reached English by different routes, one through French and the other more directly from Latin, so they ended up with separate meanings.

Synonyms: prelude, introduction, prologue

Antonyms: conclusion, epilogue