Other forms: overtures
An overture is the orchestral opening played before an opera begins. The overture began, a famous overture, play the overture.
It sets the mood and often quotes the tunes to come, which is why some overtures — the 1812, the Barber of Seville — are far better known than the works behind them. A concert overture is a standalone piece in the same form. Figuratively, overtures are first approaches: make overtures to somebody, peace overtures. Note that overture and aperture are the same Latin word for an opening.
1nounovertureThe orchestral opening played before an opera.
“The lights dimmed, and the orchestra began the overture before the curtain rose.”
2nounfirstA first approach to somebody.
“The company made overtures to its rival about a possible merger.”
overture is an opening piece or approach.
Old French overture comes from Latin apertura, an opening, from aperire, to open. Aperture is the same word borrowed again from Latin, so an overture is literally an opening.
Latin
apertūra
Old French
overture
Middle French
overture
Middle English
overture
English, today
overture
From Middle English overture, from Anglo-Norman -, Middle French overture, from Old French overture, from Latin apertūra. a doublet of aperture.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA