overture

Etymology

From Middle English overture, from Anglo-Norman, Middle French overture, from Old French overture. Doublet of aperture.

noun

1. (obsolete) An opening; a recess or chamber.
   c. 1612', George Chapman, A Hymne to Hermes the cave's inmost overture
2. (obsolete) Disclosure; discovery; revelation.
3. (often in plural) An approach or proposal made to initiate communication, establish a relationship etc.
   overture of friendship
   Shortly afterwards the North Eastern Railway made overtures for the purchase of the Blyth & Tyne system, and the directors of the latter were then disposed to sell, but, in view of their excellent dividend record, stood out for a good price. 1943 May and June, Charles E. Lee, “The Blyth & Tyne Railway”, in Railway Magazine, page 138
   Sarkozy gave a defiant speech, going on the offensive and betraying no hint of having been beaten. He styled the result as a "crisis" vote, by a French population which was "suffering". In a clear overture to Le Pen's voters, and the extreme-right motto of loving France, he said: "I call on all French people who put love of their country above partisan considerations, to unite and join me." April 23, 2012, Angelique Chrisafis, “François Hollande on top but far right scores record result in French election”, in the Guardian
4. (Scotland) A motion placed before a legislative body, such as the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
5. (music) A musical introduction to a piece of music, or a play.

verb

1. (intransitive) To make overtures; to approach with a proposal.
   For a partner setting a table in a game of “house,” an overturing child might assume the role of the father returning home from work at dinnertime rather than overturing by throwing a ball toward the child and yelling “catch.” 2012, K.H. Rubin, H.S. Ross, Peer Relationships and Social Skills in Childhood, page 44

adj

1. (heraldry, nonstandard) Overt, that is, disclosed.
   Crest : A falcon, wings overture. 1887, Edmund Farrer, The Church Heraldry of Norfolk, page 74
   It may be with wings close, i.e. closed, or it may be with its wings elevated, or it may be with wings disclosed, i.e. somewhat open, but inverted, and pointing downwards (and this is practically the same as the expression overt, written sometimes overture). … Argent, an eagle recursant wings overture sable - BACK. 1894, Henry Gough, James Parker, A Glossary of Terms Used in Heraldry, page 215
   … charged with a cross patty gules, and perched thereon a bird contourne reguardant, its wings overture, of the second; […] 1992, Donald R. Mandich, Joseph Anthony Placek, Russian Heraldry and Nobility, Dramco