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overture

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overture

Main Entry:: ¹over·ture
Pronunciation:: \ˈō-və(r)-ˌchu̇r, -chər, -ˌtyu̇r, -ˌtu̇r\
Function:: noun
Etymology:: Middle English, literally, opening, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *opertura, alteration of Latin apertura — more at aperture
Date:: 15th century

1 a: an initiative toward agreement or action : proposal b: something introductory : prelude2 a: the orchestral introduction to a musical dramatic work b: an orchestral concert piece written especially as a single movement in sonata form

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