overture overture /ˈoʊvɝtʃɝ/

noun

1. () Orchestral music played at the beginning of an opera or oratorio  ( overture )
   orchestral music played at the beginning of an opera or oratorio
    The overture set the tone for the rest of the musical
   The overture set the tone for the rest of the musical
   
2. () A tentative suggestion designed to elicit the reactions of others  ( approach , feeler , advance , overture )
   a tentative suggestion designed to elicit the reactions of others
    She rejected his advances
   she rejected his advances
   
3. () Something that serves as a preceding event or introduces what follows  ( preliminary , overture , prelude )
   something that serves as a preceding event or introduces what follows
    Training is a necessary preliminary to employment
   training is a necessary preliminary to employment
    Drinks were the overture to dinner
   drinks were the overture to dinner