Emily Dickinson Lexicon

O'VER-TURE, n. [Fr. ouverture. See Overt.]

1. Opening; disclosure; discovery. Shak. [In this literal sense, little used.]
2. Proposal; something offered for consideration, acceptance or rejection. The prince made overtures of peace, which were accepted.
3. The opening piece, prelude or symphony of some public act, ceremony or entertainment. The overture in theatrical entertainments, is a piece of music usually ending in a fugue. The overture of a jubilee is a general procession, &c. Encyc.