from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Overture \O"ver*ture\, [OF. overture, F. ouverture, fr. OF.
ovrir, F. ouvrir. See {Overt}.]
1. An opening or aperture; a recess; a chamber. [Obs.]
--Spenser. "The cave's inmost overture." --Chapman.
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2. Disclosure; discovery; revelation. [Obs.]
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It was he
That made the overture of thy treasons to us.
--Shak.
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3. A proposal; an offer; a proposition formally submitted for
consideration, acceptance, or rejection. "The great
overture of the gospel." --Barrow.
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4. (Mus.) 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}.
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