Overture

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. An opening or aperture; a recess; a recess; a chamber. [Obs.] Spenser. "The cave's inmost overture." Chapman.

2. Disclosure; discovery; revelation. [Obs.] It was he That made the overture of thy treasons to us. Shak.

3. A proposal; an offer; a proposition formally submitted for consideration, acceptance, or rejection. "The great overture of the gospel." Barrow.

4. A composition, for a full orchestra, designed as an introduction to an oratorio, opera, or ballet, or as an independent piece; -- called in the latter case a concert overture.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

To make an overture to; as, to overture a religious body on some subject.