overture
/ˈoʊvəɹt͡ʃəɹ/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.01 in modern English
11
Scrabble Score
8
Letters
3
Syllables
6
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
An approach or proposal made to initiate communication, establish a relationship etc.
noun
A motion placed before a legislative body, such as the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
noun
A musical introduction to a longer piece of music or a dramatic work (such as a play, an opera, or a motion picture).
Example Sentences
- "c. 1612', George Chapman, A Hymne to Hermes the cave's inmost overture"
- "It was he That made the overture of thy treasons to us."
- "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."
- "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.""
- "My mother had no choice; one did not turn down such an overture from the regent."
Etymology
From Middle English overture, from Anglo-Norman, Middle French overture, from Old French overture, from Latin apertūra. Doublet of aperture.
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: overture, -, apertūra
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈoʊvəɹt͡ʃəɹ/
- British English: /ˈəʊvətjʊə/