overture
Meaning
A piece of music written as an introduction to an opera or a long musical piece.
An introduction to something more substantial.
A proposal or offer, especially one made with the aim of opening negotiations or establishing a relationship.
Structure
Usage
The orchestra began with the overture to "The Marriage of Figaro".
His resignation was seen as an overture to peace talks.
The company made a friendly overture to its competitor about a potential merger.
Etymology
The word 'overture' entered English in the late Middle English period via Old French 'overture', meaning 'opening'. Its ultimate source is the Latin verb 'aperire', meaning 'to open, uncover, reveal', through the past participle stem 'apert-'. The literal sense of an opening action evolved into the musical sense of an introductory piece in the 17th century, and later into the figurative sense of a preliminary proposal or offer, logically extending the concept of 'opening' negotiations or a relationship.
Analysis
over (Latin: 'to open'); ture (Latin suffix via French: forming nouns of action or result)