definition of
overture

[1] #1 overture n. orchestral music played at the beginning of an opera or oratorio. wn

[2] #2 overture n. [preliminary, prelude] something that serves as a preceding event or introduces what follows; "training is a necessary preliminary to employment"; "drinks were the overture to dinner". wn

[3] #3 overture n. [advance, approach, feeler] a tentative suggestion designed to elicit the reactions of others; "she rejected his advances". wn