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 : prelude
2 a : the orchestral introduction to a musical dramatic work b : an orchestral concert piece written especially as a single movement in sonata form