[over.ture] n [ME, lit., opening, fr. MF, fr. (assumed) VL opertura, alter. of L apertura--more at aperture] (15c) 1 a: an initiative toward agreement or action: proposal b: something introductory: prelude
2. a: the orchestral introduction to a musical dramatic work b: an orchestral concert piece written esp. as a single movement in sonata form
[2]overture vt -tured ; -tur.ing (ca. 1650) 1: to put forward as an overture
2: to make or present an overture to