Overtures - English meaning

verb

Move forwards in a purposeful way.

Usage examples:

He advanced towards the dispatch box

noun

A forward movement.

Usage examples:

The rebels' advance on madrid was well under way

adjective

Done, sent, or supplied beforehand.

Usage examples:

Advance notice

verb

Come near or nearer to (someone or something) in distance or time.

Usage examples:

The train approached the main line

noun

A way of dealing with a situation or problem.

Usage examples:

We need a whole new approach to the job

verb

Move towards

noun

The point in time or space at which something begins.

Usage examples:

He left at the beginning of february

verb

Perform or undergo the first part of (an action or activity).

Usage examples:

Peter had just begun a life sentence for murder

noun

A short play sometimes performed before the main play

noun

An animal organ such as an antenna or palp that is used for testing things by touch or for searching for food.

Usage examples:

The tip of the snout is expanded into a naked pink disc which supports 22 finger-like tentacles or …

noun

One of the two long parts on an insect’s head that it uses to touch things

noun

A person or thing that precedes the coming or development of someone or something else.

Usage examples:

The ice safe was a forerunner of today's refrigerator

noun

An early, often less advanced model of something

Usage examples:

His machine was a forerunner of the modern computer.

noun

A person or thing that announces or signals the approach of another.

Usage examples:

Witch hazels are the harbingers of spring

noun

A person or thing that shows that something is going to happen soon, especially something bad

Usage examples:

A harbinger of doom

noun

An official employed to oversee state ceremonial, precedence, and the use of armorial bearings, and (historically) to make proclamations, carry official messages, and oversee tournaments.

Usage examples:

The following day she was proclaimed by heralds with flourishes of trumpets at various places in lo…

verb

Be a sign that (something) is about to happen.

Usage examples:

The speech heralded a change in policy

verb

To announce or signal that something is approaching

Usage examples:

The trade agreement heralded a new era of economic development.

noun

The action of introducing something.

Usage examples:

Issues arising from the introduction of new technology

noun

A short speech or piece of writing that comes before a longer speech or written text, usually giving basic information about what is to follow

Usage examples:

The author’s introduction explains the organization of the book., let me do the introductions (= in…

noun

The act of making goods or services available to be bought for the first time

Usage examples:

The introduction of sth to sth the company has announced the introduction of a new games console to…

noun

Something that introduces something else, such as the words and music that are used to introduce a television programme

verb

Go in a specified direction or manner; change position.

Usage examples:

She moved to the door

noun

A change of place, position, or state.

Usage examples:

She made a sudden move towards me

verb

Change location

verb

Present or proffer (something) for (someone) to accept or reject as desired.

Usage examples:

May i offer you a drink?

noun

An expression of readiness to do or give something if desired.

Usage examples:

Sympathetic offers of help

verb

Present for acceptance or rejection

noun

A device for opening something, especially a container.

Usage examples:

A tin opener

noun

A hand tool used for opening sealed containers

noun

A device for opening closed containers

Usage examples:

A bottle/can opener, the team played their season opener a couple of nights ago.

noun

A space or gap that allows passage or access.

Usage examples:

An opening in the roof would get rid of the smoke

adjective

Coming at the beginning of something; initial.

Usage examples:

She stole the show with her opening remark

verb

Move (a door or window) so as to leave a space allowing access and vision.

Usage examples:

She opened the door and went in

verb

Move or cause to move in a specified direction.

Usage examples:

He passed through towns and villages

noun

An act or instance of moving past or through something.

Usage examples:

Repeated passes with the swipe card

exclamation

Said when one does not know the answer to a question, for example in a quiz.

Usage examples:

To the enigmatic question we answered ‘pass’

noun

A person or thing that comes before another of the same kind; a forerunner.

Usage examples:

A three-stringed precursor of the violin

noun

Something that comes before another and may lead to it or influence its development

Usage examples:

Opponents fear this would be a precursor to development of the entire canyon.

adjective

Preceding or done in preparation for something fuller or more important.

Usage examples:

A preliminary draft

noun

A preliminary action or event.

Usage examples:

The bombardment was resumed as a preliminary to an infantry attack

adjective

Coming before a more important action or event, esp. introducing or preparing for it

Usage examples:

Preliminary talks, a preliminary investigation, the preliminary rounds of negotiation went well., h…

noun

An action or event serving as an introduction to something more important.

Usage examples:

A ceasefire had been agreed as a prelude to full peace negotiations

verb

Serve as a prelude or introduction to.

Usage examples:

The bombardment preluded an all-out final attack

noun

Something that comes before a more important event or action and introduces or prepares for it

Usage examples:

The dinner was only a prelude to a much larger meeting.

noun

A plan or suggestion, especially a formal or written one, put forward for consideration by others.

Usage examples:

A set of proposals for a major new high-speed rail link

noun

A statement or assertion that expresses a judgement or opinion.

Usage examples:

The proposition that high taxation is undesirable

verb

Make a suggestion of sex to (someone), especially in an unsubtle way.

Usage examples:

She had been propositioned at the party by a subeditor with bad breath

noun

A suggestion or statement for consideration

Usage examples:

The chairman was advised that it was a risky business proposition.

noun

A gesture, action, or sound that is used to convey information or instructions, typically by prearrangement between the parties concerned.

Usage examples:

The firing of the gun was the signal for a chain of beacons to be lit

verb

Convey information or instructions by means of a gesture, action, or sound.

Usage examples:

Hold your fire until i signal

adjective

Striking in extent, seriousness, or importance; outstanding.

Usage examples:

Their signal failure to achieve a satisfactory solution to the problem

verb

Begin or be reckoned from a particular point in time or space.

Usage examples:

The season starts in september

noun

The point in time or space at which something has its origin; the beginning.

Usage examples:

He takes over as chief executive at the start of next year

abbreviation

Strategic arms reduction treaty, an agreement between the us and the soviet union to limit and reduce strategic nuclear weapons, first signed in 1991.

noun

An idea or plan put forward for consideration.

Usage examples:

Here are some suggestions for tackling the problem

noun

An idea, possible plan, or action that is mentioned for other people to consider

Usage examples:

[ c ] she made some helpful suggestions on how to cut our costs., [ c ] they didn’t like my suggest…

adjective

Showing gentleness, kindness, and affection.

Usage examples:

He was being so kind and tender

verb

Offer or present (something) formally.

Usage examples:

He tendered his resignation as leader

noun

An offer to carry out work, supply goods, or buy land, shares, or another asset at a stated fixed price.

Usage examples:

We invited tenders for up to three more frigates

noun

A short prelude or interlude for organ.

Usage examples:

His output includes many liturgical items such as hymns, kyries, and versets for psalms and canticl…

adjective

Done, given, or acting of one's own free will.

Usage examples:

We are funded by voluntary contributions

noun

An organ solo played before, during, or after a church service.

Usage examples:

Lara hissed, supposedly under her breath, but it was picked up over the microphone and echoed aroun…